According to statistics gleaned from Freedom of Information requests, a minimum of 925 instances of parental abduction occurred between 2019 and the close of last year. London emerged as a focal point, witnessing nearly half of these distressing incidents. The past year alone saw a notable spike, with at least 232 reported cases of parental abduction across England, marking a 12% increase from 2019.
Specialist Family Law barrister Mani Singh Basi attributes these alarming numbers to frustrated parents resorting to drastic measures amid stalled judicial proceedings. The Ministry of Justice, however, contests these assertions, denying any evidence supporting the correlation between delays and parental abductions.
In tandem with these figures, the Law Society of England and Wales warns of a brewing crisis in the family court system, citing mounting backlogs and chronic underinvestment as key factors. Barristers emphasise the importance of recognising flags indicating potential abductions and call for urgent action to address court delays, which adversely affect children’s well-being and family stability.