What to do if someone you know goes missing

What should I do if someone I know goes missing?

If you're worried someone you know has gone missing. You should make some initial enquires, these might be:

• Search their home or the place they were last seen, in case they are hiding or fallen and suffered injury. Remember that children can hide in small spaces.
• Look out for any notes or clues that may suggest where they may be. Check diaries, social media or email messages.
• Check to see if they have left you a message on your phone voicemail or email.
• Contact the person by phone, text, social media etc to establish their safety and wellbeing.
• Contact family members, friends and the person’s place of work to verify that they are missing and not just somewhere unexpected.
• Check places of significance to the person, i.e. parks where they may play, or gather with friends.
• Check any CCTV or doorbell cameras if available.

When should I report someone as missing?

When someone you know cannot be located you should make initial enquiries with friends and family members to locate them and establish their whereabouts.

If you are concerned that the person is at serious risk of harm, could be in danger or vulnerable in some way you should report them missing to police.

If the risk is immediate, then police should be called straight away. You should dial 999 in an emergency to report this or 101 for non-urgent enquires. 

How should I report a missing person to the police?

A missing person can be reported to police at any time, you do NOT need to wait 24 hours before making a report.

Call 101 or visit a local police station. You can report it to us even if the person lives in another part of the UK or abroad.

In an emergency you should call 999.

What information do I need before I report someone as missing?

• Name
• Age
• Description of person
• Description of clothing
• Home address
• Location missing from
• Circumstances of going missing
• Name, address, contact telephone number and relationship to missing person of person reporting. If the missing person is in Local Authority Care, consideration should be given to obtaining alternative and out of hours contact details in case the investigation is ongoing when the person reporting goes off duty
• Details of any vehicle or transport used
• The relevant information concerning the person reporting the disappearance
• Location of where the missing person might be
• Any medication the missing person requires, frequency of taking and the effects if not taken
• Information about known risks e.g. child known to be at risk of sexual/criminal exploitation, suffering from ill health (mental, Dementia etc.)
• Information about any person who might have contact with the missing person, such as people with whom the missing person was found in previous incidents e.g. estranged parents or partners

What happens after I report someone as missing?

We will use the information that you supply to assess the level of risk that the person may be at while missing. We will then follow appropriate lines of enquiry to locate and safeguard the person.

If the missing person returns please let us know. We would like to see them after they return to carry out a prevention interview to see what we can do to support them.

What is the police role when someone returns or is found following a missing episode?

When a missing person is located the police will conduct a prevention interview with them to establish the reasons they went missing and identify what can be done to support them.

The questions that police will ask as part of a prevention interview are:

• Have you come to any harm whilst missing? (CSE, rape, violence, self-harm etc.).
• Why did you go missing? (Factors - abuse, bullying, domestic, school, work, financial, mental health issues, just stayed out, wanted family contact etc.)
• What have you been doing whilst missing? (Consider self-harm, sexual/criminal exploitation, involvement in crime, County lines etc.)
• How did you arrive at your destination (picked up by car, bus, etc.)
• Did you travel alone or were any adults or young persons involved?
• How did you make arrangements (Facebook/other social media, text, calls made, received calls, etc.)
• Where have you been? (Places stayed/frequented, transport used, vehicle details, etc.)
• Who have you been with?
• How did you support yourself? (Given cash, gifts, food, accommodation, committed crime, etc.)
• Have you used drugs, alcohol or other substances whilst missing?
• Will you go missing again?
• What will prevent you from going missing again?
• Consent for referral to support services.
• Officer professional judgement/ parent/carer considerations.

What support do the police offer?

Northumbria Police has a dedicated role for people who go missing. This is known as the 'Missing From Home Coordinator' they review daily missing reports to identify potential issues and risks surrounding missing persons at an early stage. This work is complimented by police neighbourhood and the Prevention Department.
They review repeat missing episodes and identify the root causes of missing episodes to effectively problem solve as a multi-agency approach. They act as a point of contact for partners, ensuring an effective working relationship is maintained, and encouraging the two-way exchange of information.