Reports of missing people are taken very seriously by Cheshire
Police. We devote considerable time and resources to finding
missing people. Our priority is always to locate the missing person
and make sure they are safe and well.
How Cheshire Police is dedicated to finding missing people
When responding to a report we have to consider:
- the well-being of the missing person
- an individual’s right to go ‘missing’ if they do not want to be
found
- our compassion towards the relatives and friends of the missing
person
- whether the missing person may have been a victim of a serious
crime
- the preservation and management of evidence in suspicious
cases
- the appropriate level of resources to respond to each
report
It is a very sensitive issue which is further complicated by the
contradictions in our considerations. Balancing the right of an
individual to cut off contact and become ‘missing’ with showing
compassion for their family and friends is not necessarily
easy.
Once we have received a report of a missing person, we will send
an officer to get all of the details. With the help of the person
who has reported the incident, the officer will complete an
in-depth form and make enquiries which will help us to decide the
best course of action.
It is vital that we receive as much information as possible at
this stage, including a photograph where possible.
From the information received we assess how much risk the
missing person poses to themselves and member of the public. We
take into account:
- the person’s age
- whether they need essential medication or treatment
- whether they are on the Child Protection Register
- the circumstances of the disappearance
- whether the disappearance is out of character.
- whether there is a suspicion of murder
- whether the missing person has financial, employment or
relationship problems.
We have to identify missing individuals who require a greater
concentration of resources than others. Depending on the
circumstances, this could involve search teams, dog handlers,
underwater search units, air support units and the CID.
Each of the three police areas of Cheshire has its own missing
person coordinator who are serving police officers specialising in
investigating missing people.
We will pursue all lines of enquiry until they are exhausted.
The case will remain open and any new lines of enquiry will be
investigated.