How do I know if someone has gone missing?
A missing person is anyone whose whereabouts are unknown
whatever the circumstances of disappearance. They will be
considered missing until located and their well-being or otherwise
established.
While it is understandably distressing when someone goes
missing, the reality is that investigating reports of missing
people is an everyday activity for police. The vast majority of
people reported missing are found or return alive and well within a
very short period of time.
Some people will be missing for longer periods of time, and a
very small fraction will be found to have been the victim of a
serious crime.
Most people only alert police when the person’s whereabouts
becomes a concern. Usually this means the person had made their own
basic enquiries into the missing person’s whereabouts.
The most familiar example of this is the parent who will
telephone their child’s friends’ parents as a first port of
call.
If someone you know goes missing and you are genuinely concerned
for their safety, then contact the police with as much information
as you can provide.
How do I report a missing person?
Most missing person reports come to us through our 0845 458 0000
non-emergency number. This is the correct number to report somebody
missing unless it is of a particularly urgent nature.
If the missing person is vulnerable, known to be suicidal or
there is another reason that makes the situation an emergency, then
you should call 999.
What if I’m reported missing but I don’t want to be found?
If you have been reported missing and want to let police and
your family know that you are safe without them knowing where you
are, you should ideally attend your local police station with proof
of your identity and tell them that you have been reported
missing.
Usually the police will respect your wish that your family are
not informed of your whereabouts. If you are a vulnerable person
(for example under the age of 16 or suffering from a mental
illness) the officer will have a duty to protect you and may have
decide on a different course of action.
The charity Missing People also provides
advice and assistance to missing people and have a runaway helpline
and a Message Home service for those wanted to let people know they
are safe without having to get in touch with their family or
carers.