Dear FOI Team,

I am a freelance journalist and I am researching the Family Court System.

The data you kindly provide will be compiled with other responses from the Family Courts in both England and Wales and all of the Police Forces within this jurisdiction in order to obtain a clear picture of the situation across the country

Using the Freedom of Information Act, please could you search your database and provide the data in response to the following inquiries:

1. Year on Year between 2018 to 2021 - for the whole year to date. How many children have allegedly been “abducted” by parents or close family members.
2.Year on Year between 2018 to 2021 - for the whole year to date. How may persons have been investigate for criminal offences relating to Child Abduction offences in relation to close family members
3. Year on Year between 2018 to 2021 - please provide a breakdown of persons believed to have absconded overseas with children.
4. Year on Year between 2018 to 2021 how many persons who have absconded overseas have now returned to the UK.

Thank you for your help and time in advance

Yours faithfully,

Suzanne Martin