CHARITIES are calling on the Welsh Government and all local authorities in Wales to end the practice of housing homeless teenagers in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The End Youth Homelessness Cymru campaign, which was officially launched last week, led by homeless charity Llamau, believes this practice is putting children in danger. Current legislation allows local authorities in Wales to house homeless 16 and 17-year-olds in B and Bs on an emergency basis.

This accommodation can often be shared with adults who have recently left prison and the charities say this places young people at unacceptable risk of exploitation, abuse and worse. Welsh Government guidance issued in April this year says local authorities should “avoid using B and B accommodation wherever possible.”

EYH Cymru estimates around 96 and 106 16 and 17- year-olds in Wales were accommodated in B and Bs during 2013-14.

Lynne Neagle AM for Torfaen is backing the campaign's call for clear instruction from Welsh Government to prohibit the use of B and B accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds, including in an emergency situation.

She said: "It’s estimated that it will cost an extra £30,000 a year to keep Welsh young people out of B and Bs – I think that’s a price well worth paying.

"We should be leading the way in Wales to ensure that no young person is placed in B and B accommodation if they are experiencing homelessness and I’m looking forward to working with the partnership and pressing the Welsh Government to make this call a reality.”

There have been cases of bed and breakfasts used to house recently released offenders and homeless people in Gwent including the Sirhowy Arms B and B in Argoed where 22-year-old Cerys Yemm was killed. The owner of the B and B has previously said she had been asked to house vulnerable teenagers alongside sex offenders and people with alcohol and drug problems.

The EYH Cymru partnership estimate the cost of placing a young person in bed and breakfast accommodation is around £335 per week, compared to the cost of supported accommodation of around £579 per week.

Frances Beecher, chief executive of Llamau, said: “Being homeless is scary. It would be frightening at any age, but at 16 or 17 it is terrifying.

"This is what's happening to children right now in Wales. We are saying this is simply wrong. We are putting children in danger.”