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Our inspection
We have undertaken this comprehensive inspection of the police response to missing persons in recognition of the impact that this issue can have on individuals and their families. We have also become increasingly aware of the significant resources dedicated to responding to missing person incidents within local police divisions and across the specialist national divisions (e.g., operational support, Policing Together and the contact, command and control divisions).
Our inspection has been far reaching and we have engaged widely across the aforementioned police divisions, through interviews and focus groups. We undertook onsite visits to meet with partners from health, local authority and third sector services to examine how well partners work together to address this important issue. In the methodology section of this report, we outline our approach and the range of tasks undertaken, including a comprehensive review of calls made to police service centres and an audit of the national missing persons application used by police to record incidents and guide investigations.
A significant number of people are reported missing each year. We know from research that becoming missing is a universal issue as anyone can potentially go missing. People from all walks of life can be affected and the incident can occur in a wide variety of circumstances. There are many complex reasons why an individual may go missing, and it is likely that one person’s reasoning may differ greatly from another. Research has tended to focus on the most vulnerable groups of individuals such as children, people with mental health issues or with dementia. However, there are many cases where the pressures of everyday life or problems within relationships can be the basis of a missing person incident.
It is of concern that the majority of people reported missing each year are children and young people. Our report outlines that children and young people represent over 60% of missing people in the past year (2023-24). We outline the extent to which police and partners are responding to and addressing this issue, however, recognise that this is part of a wider societal problem that needs to be addressed in order to protect, support and prevent children and young people from becoming missing in the first place.
This report highlights that while there is a significant level of demand placed on policing, with over 20,000 missing person calls being made to police service centres each year, the vast majority of missing people either return by themselves or are returned by Police Scotland. That said, many missing people come to harm while missing, and the impact on families in the relatively small number of situations where a person is not found, or is found dead, can be devastating.
Overall, the policing response to missing persons is robust and effective and demonstrates a significant level of commitment to investigate thoroughly and locate people as swiftly as possible. However, more needs to be done to ensure that clear leadership and strategic direction is in place. We have also highlighted where improvements can be made in the operational response and have outlined recommendations intended to support Police Scotland to drive improvement.
The role of partner organisations, including local authorities, health services and third sector partners, is critical to achieving positive outcomes for missing people. We have found that while some areas can demonstrate effective partnership working that has resulted in better preventative approaches and a reduction in missing person incidents, this is not consistent across the country.
The competence and professionalism of Police Scotland’s approach to missing persons has been recognised for its effectiveness by partners across Scotland and police forces in other countries. Our interviews with leaders from health, social work and the third sector, were very positive about the commitment and expertise that police bring to addressing missing person incidents. Police Scotland has previously been approached by the Australian Federal Police, South Australia Police, Swedish Police Authority and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to discuss structures, processes and practice that have proved effective, with a view to adopting these.
We anticipate that the findings and recommendations resulting from this inspection will contribute to the collective efforts of police and partners to achieve better outcomes for missing people and their families.
Craig Naylor
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
October 2024