'Many of the 100,000 children who run away from home in Britain every year end up on the streets simply because hostels do not take teenagers under 16 and there is nowhere else for them to go, according to a new report.
A seven-month investigation by the Children's Society provides the first in-depth picture of life as an underage runaway and warns that an acute lack of hostels places youngsters at risk. Research shows one in four first-time runaways is under 11 and one in seven is physically or sexually assaulted. 'Although there are hostels for homeless people aged over 16, there is very little for children under 16 who run away or are thrown out of home,' said Bob Reitemeier, the society's chief executive.'