Police missing person searches
Failures in police search procedures for missing persons, including inadequate thoroughness and lack of follow-up.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 6 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
35 PFD reports
3 committee recs
29 IOPC recs
17 DHR recs
1 PHSO decision
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Prevention of Future Deaths reports(35)
Natalie Ainsworth
Concerns: Important information about a threat to take her own life was not passed to officers, leading to an insufficiently robust risk assessment that did not consider Natalie's vulnerability or accurately record her history.
Response (Durham Constabulary): • The Force reviewed processes for recording additional information received into the Force Control Room during missing person investigations. • Changes were made to how information is recorded and shared, … (AI summary)
Responded
Michael Sweeney
Concerns: The coroner noted that the police use of 'excited delirium' is not widely understood by health services, potentially hindering proper diagnosis of medical emergencies. It was recommended that police training, control staff, and ambulance protocols be amended to use 'extreme agitation' to describe such conditions, ensuring appropriate prioritisation.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and London Ambulance Service (LAS) have adopted 'Acute Behavioural Disorder' (ABD) as the common terminology for the constellation of symptoms, which is embedded in … (AI summary)
Response (London Ambulance Service): • The London Ambulance Service (LAS) stated it did not agree with the recommendation to amend its protocols and training to recognise 'extreme agitation' as a medical emergency, indicating it … (AI summary)
Responded
Shaun Elliott
Concerns: The coroner identified gaps in weekend cover for missing person coordinators and noted issues with officers' interpretation of the national "high risk" definition, which led to a delay in risk categorisation.
Overdue
William Hafele
Concerns: The coroner identified gaps in training for police and hospital staff regarding missing persons procedures and responsibilities. Ineffective communication between police and the hospital led to critical risk assessment information being omitted and reclassification not being communicated.
Response (Surrey Police): • The Missing Persons Policy was updated to comply with new Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines. • Guidance was circulated to personnel to ensure necessary details are provided for … (AI summary)
Response (Surrey Borders Partnership NHS): • The Trust emphasised the importance of the Missing Persons (MISPER) process to staff and assigned a Clinical Assurance team member to ensure compliance. • Staff were instructed to complete … (AI summary)
Responded
James Barrett
Concerns: The coroner raised concerns regarding the efficiency of missing persons searches, noting issues with the reliance on volunteer organisations for mapping and the absence of police-controlled stand-alone mapping systems and tracking devices for searchers.
Response (James BARRETT): • A business case was submitted proposing the purchase of a MAPYEX system. • The purchase was recommended for ratification to the Assistant Chief Constable. • Hampshire Constabulary is considering … (AI summary)
Overdue
Stewart Akins
Concerns: The coroner identified inadequate information sharing regarding an individual's repeatedly stated intentions to end his own life between the custody record, the investigating officer, and the Crown Prosecution Service. This led to a significant under-reporting of suicide/self-harm risk during bail consideration.
Response (S Akins): • West Mercia Police conducted a full review into Mr Akins' detention. • West Mercia Police revised its practice to ensure all Prisoner Escort Forms are signed as accurate by … (AI summary)
Responded
Tyrone Lock
Concerns: The jury identified that Tyrone should have been classified as a vulnerable person, not an absconding suspect, based on available police information. This classification would have prompted a second, prioritised helicopter deployment, increasing the chance of finding him.
Response (National Police Air Service): • The NPAS Assistant Operations Director contacted West Mercia Police to support a Critical Incident debrief. • NPAS will offer an opinion on potential improvements in awareness or training for … (AI summary)
Response (West Mercia Police): • West Mercia Police has embarked on an extensive programme to raise awareness and understanding of vulnerability among officers and staff. • The force has consulted with NPAS to clarify … (AI summary)
Responded
Mark Banks
Concerns: The coroner identified failures in contacting the ambulance service, recording the request, and correctly grading an emergency call. There were also insufficient efforts to search for and check on Mr. Banks' wellbeing at the scene.
Response (Devon Cornwall Police): • The police's grading and deployment policy (DO51) was reviewed and updated, integrating the THRIVE risk assessment tool to guide call handlers in incident grading. • Specific staff members were … (AI summary)
Responded
Ozeivo Akerele
Concerns: The coroner identified failures in the police search operation, including not finding Mr Akerele's body close to his last sighting and inadequate searches of a disused graveyard where he was later found. Concerns were also raised about the Police Search Advisor being unaware of recommendations for a more thorough search and the cursory nature of an earlier search.
Response (West Midland Police): • The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation concluded, and a Professional Standards Department review determined no further action regarding officer conduct. • The organisation identified opportunities for organisational … (AI summary)
Responded
Rastislav Petrisko
Concerns: The coroner identified inconsistencies in risk assessment and its application to granting leave, noting a significant delay in police notification for an absconded patient due to a 'period of grace' in the existing policy.
Overdue
Rosario Cordero-Sanz
Concerns: Concerns were raised regarding special police officers' lack of tablets for system access and insufficient understanding of missing person processes and mental health protocols. Communication issues between officers and CAD operators, including search capabilities, led to a missed opportunity to identify a high-risk individual.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • One hundred tablet devices were purchased and issued as pool devices for Metropolitan Special Constabulary officers, with roll-out completed in November 2018. • Processes were implemented to ensure Metropolitan … (AI summary)
Responded
Catherine Horton
Concerns: The coroner identified insufficient staffing and high workload within the Metropolitan Police Service's persons' unit, which contributed to an incorrect closure of a person investigation before a welfare check was completed. This raises concerns about resource allocation and the recognition of the unit's life-saving function.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) implemented a new Basic Command Unit (BCU) model, which included an investment in additional posts for Missing Persons Units (MPUs) and integrated them into … (AI summary)
Responded
Alfred Sykes
Concerns: The coroner noted inadequate consideration and action for a crucial public sighting report of Mr Sykes, leading to an insufficient police search of the identified sports fields by only two officers. Increased deployment could have led to an earlier discovery.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): • High-risk missing person searches conducted by a PoISA from the Specialist Search Unit will be reviewed daily by another officer. • The Force Search Coordinator will be appraised of … (AI summary)
Responded
Nimo Younis
Concerns: Concerns were raised regarding C&I ward staff's lack of understanding about police procedures for missing patients, including necessary information for escalation. This was coupled with delays in police classification of the patient as high-risk and incomplete information for police decision-makers.
Overdue
Imane Bouasbia
Concerns: The coroner noted insufficient communication between officers regarding Ms Bouasbia's expressed wish to end her life, and a risk assessment for self-harm was not completed. The police response to a text message indicating suicidal thoughts was limited.
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) published an Operational Notice on 18th December 2020, instructing all staff to review police indices, including CAD reports, prior to victim contact and to … (AI summary)
Overdue
Ewan Brown
Concerns: The coroner noted the absence of a joint policy and multi-agency structure for police and health professionals to share information regarding vulnerable missing persons with mental health difficulties, and a lack of mandatory refresher training for officers on mental health issues.
Overdue
Zeyna Partington
Concerns: GMP officers lacked understanding of ACT markers, causing delays in vehicle marking for missing person investigations. The national ANPR notification system also lacks full implementation across all forces.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): • National guidance on ACT markers has been agreed for amendment, with work underway. • The GMP Missing From Home policy is being updated to include specific guidance on ACT … (AI summary)
Responded
Steve Cooke
Concerns: Communication difficulties during the emergency call led to an ambulance being dispatched to the wrong address. The coroner also noted inadequate EOC follow-up and a lack of escalation or re-review of the original call to locate the patient.
Response (South East Coast Ambulance Service): • The organisation identified that instructions for 999 call handlers regarding address confirmation were not replicated in the 111 system. • An Operational Bulletin is being implemented to replicate 999 … (AI summary)
Responded
Anthony Preston
Concerns: The coroner highlighted the need to review the Police Missing Person Policy to ensure its effectiveness and suitability for purpose.
Overdue
Joseph Martin
Concerns: The PSNI's inadequate recording of critical mental health concerns from medical professionals and family led to crucial information not being relayed between police forces and hospitals, indicating an insufficient systemic safety net for vulnerable individuals.
Overdue
Neil Parkes
Concerns: Warwickshire police did not act on two requests from hospital staff to identify an unconscious patient, which prevented the hospital from accessing his previous medical history that could have assisted his treatment.
Response (Warwickshire Police): • Warwickshire Police conducted an internal review immediately following Mr Parkes' death. • Lessons learned from the inquest were circulated to all officers and staff via a Vulnerability and Safeguarding … (AI summary)
Responded
William Savory
Concerns: There was a delay in initiating the missing persons protocol, and some staff were not aware of the requirement to commence procedures immediately for informal patients, creating a risk of future delays.
Overdue
Hannah Warren
Concerns: The coroner noted a mismatch between the COMPACT risk assessment and the ACT stop priority for a missing person's vehicle, due to a lack of formal guidance, training, or protocols for correlating these two systems. This absence of guidance on how these critically important systems operate together safely appears to be a national issue.
Response (National Police Chiefs Council and College of Policing): • Instructions and guidance on managing missing persons enquiries and the use of PNC and ANPR have been reviewed and updated since 2016. • The National Police Chiefs’ Council will … (AI summary)
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) commenced the design and development of a training package in March 2023, adapting national guidance on ACT and ReACT reports for ANPR systems. • … (AI summary)
Response (Home Office): • The Home Office consulted the College of Policing, the Metropolitan Police, and the National Police Chiefs Council. • The Home Office stated it was satisfied that current police guidance … (AI summary)
Responded
Anthony Ingram
Concerns: The coroner noted a lack of standardised information sharing protocols between police forces for cross-border missing persons investigations, which meant crucial details, including possession of a means of suicide, were not consistently relayed.
Response (National Police Chiefs Council): • A Task and Finishing Group has been initiated to address cross-border missing person investigations. • Draft NPCC advice on requesting missing person enquiries and transfers of investigations has been … (AI summary)
Responded
Rebecca Fisher
Concerns: The coroner noted GMP staff's insufficient understanding of high-risk assessment for missing voluntary mental health patients and applying "golden hour" guidance. Concerns included poor documentation, information sharing, and the unclear effectiveness of new training and systems.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): • Greater Manchester Police (GMP) circulated a memorandum to all District Commanders on 21 June 2023, explaining mental health terminology, risk misconceptions, golden hour tasks, and mobile phone data access … (AI summary)
Responded
Heather Findlay
Concerns: The coroner noted insufficient staff preparedness and policy guidance for safely managing patients who abscond, alongside uncertainty regarding police assistance in such situations.
Response (NHS England): • NHS England stated it would review the East London Foundation Trust's response to the report and consider whether further action was needed. • NHS England shared the report with … (AI summary)
Response (Metropolitan Police Service): • The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) stated that the Affinity Protocol, including a Joint Responsibility Agreement with NHS Mental Health Providers, has been in place since September 2021 to clarify … (AI summary)
Response (Home Office): • The National Police Chiefs’ Council is developing toolkits and guidance products for police forces to support the Right Care Right Person approach. • Health partners will be producing their … (AI summary)
Response (East London NHS Foundation Trust): • The Trust reviewed and updated its Missing and Absent Without Leave (AWOL) Policy to include guidance on preventing absconding, safe following, and seeking assistance. • The Trust intends to … (AI summary)
Responded
Lee Bowman
Concerns: The coroner noted significant assumptions were made about Lee's whereabouts based on his addiction, which was not considered a vulnerability, and insufficient weight was given to information provided by his family about his state of mind and usual behaviours.
Response (College of Policing): • The College has recently published Evidence Based Guidelines on Risk Assessment, which emphasize gathering information from a range of sources. • The College will update its Missing Persons Authorised … (AI summary)
Responded
REDACTED
Concerns: The coroner noted that guidance within the College of Policing APP could be clearer. This clarity may help officers achieve greater consistency in decision-making when assessing the risk level for missing persons reports.
Overdue
Helen Kerr
Concerns: The coroner noted insufficient weight given to collateral information during mental health triage, resulting in untimely referrals for treatment. Concerns were also raised about out-of-hours information sharing gaps between police, mental health agencies, and adult safeguarding.
Response (Surrey Council): • Surrey County Council stated that the SCARF process is not designed for emergency out-of-hours referrals. • The council confirmed that a clear process exists for officers to contact the … (AI summary)
Response (Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust): • The Trust implemented changes to its Single Point of Access (SPA) procedures, including new referral protocols, senior oversight of triaging decisions, and updated website information for external professionals. • … (AI summary)
Response (Surrey Police): • Surrey Police stated that officers will be reminded to undertake research promptly when engaging with members of the public, including requesting assistance from the Force Control Room. • Surrey … (AI summary)
Responded
Amy Levy
Concerns: The coroner noted that police attempting to locate an individual did not leave voicemail messages when contacting their parents, which likely delayed obtaining the correct address.
Response (College of Policing): • The College of Policing liaised with Surrey Police and Avon and Somerset Police to understand the chronology of events and their subsequent actions. • Surrey Police updated deployment procedures … (AI summary)
Response (Surrey Police): • Surrey Police updated its Deployment of Resources Procedure to include guidance on the appropriate use of voicemail messaging when seeking urgent information. • The updated guidance will be embedded … (AI summary)
Response (Avon and Somerset Police): • Call scripts for communications teams were updated to reflect new procedures for cases categorised as 'suicidal'. • The Concern for Safety policy was updated and published to include specific … (AI summary)
Responded
Charlotte Tetley
Concerns: The coroner expressed concern about the police's narrow interpretation of policy, requiring explicit intent to end life before leaving A&E for a high-risk missing person. This, combined with ambulance services not responding to unknown whereabouts, risks delays in assistance.
Response (Cheshire Constabulary): • Cheshire Constabulary implemented the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) operating model from January 2024, including specific policies and decision-making toolkits for concern for safety reports. • The Constabulary provided … (AI summary)
Responded
Lewis Bates
Concerns: The coroner noted a lack of guidance for 999 call handlers regarding 'reasonable enquiries' for missing persons reports and confusion between these and the Right Person Right Care initiative. This impacted the appropriate police response, alongside concerns about the advice given to contact healthcare providers for information.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): • Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will issue formal guidance by February 2026 for call handlers, outlining actions not to be expected of informants and alternative steps to take. • GMP … (AI summary)
Responded
Katherine Wright
Concerns: The coroner noted a lack of training and guidance for frontline officers on how to conduct adequate searches of premises in missing person cases. Concerns were also raised about the absence of protocols for officers to escalate safety concerns during searches.
Response (Thames Valley Police): • Thames Valley Police reviewed its Missing Persons Operational Guidance and included a new section dedicated to searching premises. • This new guidance was shared with all officers in a … (AI summary)
Responded
Mansoor Zaman
Concerns: The coroner noted ward staff failures to instigate MHA authorisations or reassess Mr Zaman's risk level following incidents of absconding and aggression. Concerns also included delays in reporting him missing to police and inadequate documentation.
Response (Department for Health and Social Care): • The East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) commissioned a supplemental investigation and report and is reviewing governance processes. • ELFT reviewed Mental Health Act administration processes and environmental safety on … (AI summary)
Response (East London NHS foundation Trust addendum): • The Trust will develop and implement mandatory training for all clinical staff on AWOL and missing persons policies, including competency assessment. • The Trust will provide mandatory refresher sessions … (AI summary)
Response (East London NHS Foundation Trust): • Ward staff will undertake mandatory refresher training on structured risk assessments, observation practice, and AWOL procedures. • The Trust has refined its AWOL policy and provided refresher training on … (AI summary)
Responded
Suseel Rana
Concerns: The report identifies that a Clare's Law application was not progressed due to an officer's misunderstanding, preventing multi-agency safety planning. It also notes a lack of clarity in DVDS guidance on when applications must proceed to decision-making.
Response (Home Office): • The Home Office is working to create a clearer, more consistent framework for police and other agencies to improve the implementation of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS). • … (AI summary)
Response (Bedfordshire Police): • Bedfordshire Police stated it had taken steps to ensure clarity in the understanding and articulation of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme process. (AI summary)
Responded
Select committee recommendations(3)
#33 —
Recommendation: The government should also make clear what specific action is being taken to locate these children, to investigate the causes for them going missing, and to avoid unaccompanied asylum-seeking children going missing in the future. The Home Office should update …
Response status not verified
#32 —
Recommendation: Until all missing children and young people are found, the government should regularly publish data about the missing children and, where possible, make public any guidance shared with local networks. (Recommendation, Paragraph 165)
Response status not verified
#31 —
Recommendation: We welcome the fact that the majority of missing children have now been found. However, we continue to be extremely concerned about the fact that some children who went missing from asylum hotels in previous years remain missing. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
Response status not verified
IOPC learning recommendations(29)
Recommendation - Hertfordshire Constabulary, April 2026
The IOPC recommends that Hertfordshire Constabulary take steps to assure itself that police officers and staff likely to be involved in the handling of cross-border missing person investigations, especially those where mental health and safeguarding risks are present, are aware …
Recommendation - Avon and Somerset Police and Wiltshire Police, April 2026
The IOPC recommends that Wiltshire Police and Avon & Somerset Police create and maintain an up-to-date list of STORM Codes and Transfer Codes on their STORM systems to allow the effective use and transfer of incidents between the two forces. …
Recommendations - West Midlands Police, April 2021
The IOPC recommends that West Midlands Police should amend missing persons policy to expand on Chapter 9 “Concern for Welfare or Safe and Well” and the missing persons flow chart. This follows an IOPC investigation where the incident type was …
Recommendation - Staffordshire Police, December 2025
The IOPC recommends that Staffordshire Police amend their Missing Persons Procedure to ensure that the Force Control Centre (FCC) pro-actively notifies the Local Operations Inspector (LOI) whenever a new missing person is recorded on the COMPACT system (a missing persons’ …
Recommendations - West Midlands Police, June 2021
The IOPC recommends that West Midlands Police create a detailed question set for call handlers responding to requests from external agencies to conduct welfare checks. The prompts should help call handlers to elicit key information to help inform decision making …
Recommendations - West Midlands Police, June 2021
The IOPC recommends that West Midlands Police create a policy on handling concern for welfare calls. This policy should cover the responsibility for informing third parties and should provide guidance for officers and staff members dealing with an enquiry relating …
Recommendations - Sussex Police
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police amend its missing persons policy to clearly reflect the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice for notifying the British Transport Police of when a missing person may potentially use the rail network. This follows …
Recommendations - Sussex Police
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police reviews its missing persons policy and relevant training and guidance, to ensure vulnerabilities in individual missing persons cases are acknowledged, assessed, and graded appropriately. This follows an IOPC investigation in which a 15-year-old child …
Recommendations - Sussex Police
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police takes steps to ensure the responsibility of sergeants to actively supervise medium risk missing persons cases is complied with. This follows an IOPC investigation in which a 15-year-old child was found deceased, having taken …
Recommendations - West Midlands Police, June 2021
The IOPC recommends that West Midlands Police consider the benefits of implementing a protocol with relevant third parties, such as Housing providers, when dealing with any request for a welfare check. This recommendation is made as the result of a …
Response to missing person’s report - Metropolitan Police Service, June 2015
It is recommended that the MPS consider the need to remind despatch operators of their collective responsibility to highlight or challenge the grade of a call if required.
Response to missing person’s report - Metropolitan Police Service, June 2015
It is recommended that the MPS consider the need for despatch operators to review the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) when information is acknowledged to ensure that they are aware of the context of the information.
Response to missing person’s report - Metropolitan Police Service, June 2015
It is recommended that the MPS consider the deployment of officers to an informant’s current location (if they are not at home) when a missing person incident is graded as a ‘Immediate’ or a ‘Significant’.
Response to missing person’s report - Metropolitan Police Service, June 2015
It is recommended that the MPS ensure that when a call is graded, risks and vulnerability factors are prioritised over officer response time.
Woman reported as missing found dead - Metropolitan Police Service, August 2018
The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service ensures that it is possible to identify who is (or was) responsible for progressing actions under the Revised Missing Persons Investigation Protocol, and consider how this is recorded on MPS systems to …
Woman reported as missing found dead - Metropolitan Police Service, August 2018
The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) ensures that all Local Resolution Team members across the MPS are aware of their roles and responsibilities under the Revised Missing Persons Investigation Protocol. This follows an investigation where two missing …
Police search for missing man -Greater Manchester Police, August 2021
The IOPC recommends Greater Manchester Police issues a reminder, to all police officers and police staff whose role includes working with communications date as part of missing persons investigations, of what resources are available within GMP to assist with analysing …
Recommendation - West Mercia Police, March 2020
The IOPC recommends that West Mercia Police revises its risk assessment to consider the availability and distribution of water kits, including whether they may be carried in response vehicles. As a result of reviewing a DSI investigation it became apparent …
Recommendations - Sussex Police, March 2020
The Sussex Police and Sussex NHS Partnerships should also review the ‘Missing Persons Police – Appendix E – Absent Without Leave (AWOL)’ with a view to establishing which agency is responsible for conducting checks to ascertain the wellbeing and whereabouts …
Recommendations - Sussex Police, March 2020
The IOPC recommends Sussex Police should review ‘Missing Persons Police – Appendix E – Absent Without Leave (AWOL)' policy with specific reference to the below; The ‘Missing Persons Police – Appendix E – Absent Without Leave (AWOL)’ appears to be …
Investigation into police response to a report that a person was missing …
The IOPC recommends that Northumbria Police update the ‘Investigations of Missing Persons’ procedure to include the consideration of CCTV strategy. This should include consideration of potential CCTV opportunities at the last known sighting of the missing person.
Investigation into police response to a report that a person was missing …
The IOPC recommends that Northumbria Police revise the ‘Northumbria Procedure – Investigations of Missing Persons’ document to ensure that the following are clear: • Who is responsible for appointing (and communicating) a single point of contact for the family, during …
Investigation into police response to a report that a person was missing …
The IOPC recommend that Northumbria Police consider expanding the ‘Search Management’ section of the ‘Northumbria Procedure – Investigations of Missing Persons’ document to provide further detail as to the required level of record keeping in relation to both PolSA and …
Contact with man before his death – North Wales Police, November 2021
The IOPC recommends that North Wales Police allocates a dedicated Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to families/next of kin during Missing Person Investigations where possible. The SPOC should ensure the family know who their SPOC is, provide regular, meaningful updates …
Contact with man before his death – North Wales Police, November 2021
The IOPC recommends that North Wales Police take steps to understand supervisors’ experiences of carrying out risk grading for missing persons cases, to determine whether further training may be required to ensure that the investigative actions carried out are consistent …
Contact with man before his death – North Wales Police, November 2021
The IOPC recommends that North Wales Police should incorporate the dangers of confirmation bias, encourage critical questioning, challenging assumptions, and the importance of exercising professional curiosity in matters of concern for welfare and Missing Person investigations. The force should ensure …
Recommendations - Surrey Police, April 2020
The IOPC recommends that Surrey Police training and/or policy on the use of mobile data terminals is reviewed to ensure officers are aware of the practical uses this piece of equipment can provide. Surrey Police provide a three hour training …
Recommendations - Surrey Police, April 2020
The IOPC recommends that Surrey Police considers developing and issuing a forcewide communication or bulletin in order to highlight the practical uses of this piece of equipment. When responding to the initial report, an officer reviewed a large number of …
Recommendations - Sussex Police, March 2020
If such a situation arises, a review should take place after proactive measures to allocate responsibility have been taken, as opposed to at the material time of the patient being absent in order to avoid delay in resourcing a response. …
Health investigations(9)
Independent investigation: Robert MitchellArthur WilsonShirley Wilson, Bramford, Suffolk (1994) — Rec B
All Police Forces should have formal Missing Patients Procedures agreed with local hospitals and Social Services, and within these a system for inquiring into the circumstances of repeated absconding by detained patients, particularly those subject to restriction orders.
east_of_england
Independent investigation: Leonie McGlashan, Wood Green (1995) — Rec 5
The East London and The City Health Authority should ensure that there are clear and comprehensive protocols for the management of patients who are absent without leave from hospital. These protocols should include: (a) a clear definition of a "missing person" which includes informal patients who have been recently detained …
london
Independent investigation: Abdullah Jama, Blackheath (2009) — Rec 10
The Trust should revise its ‘missing persons’ policy and it should be tested regularly.
north_east_yorkshire
An independent inquiry into the care and treatment of Ms … — Rec 9
The review recommends that the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adult Board consider producing a joint protocol concerning the management of vulnerable adults who become missing persons that could be applied across the TVP area.
south_east
An independent inquiry into the care and treatment of Ms … — Rec 7
We recommend that OHFT review its policy and guidance in respect of patients who are AWOL or missing from hospital. We further recommend that this policy and guidance be developed with partner agencies including TVP. OHFT and TVP should agree how expert advice should be sought and how concerns should …
south_east
An independent inquiry into the care and treatment of Ms … — Rec 7
The review recommends that the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adult Board consider replicating the OSCB escalation protocol to promote better inter-agency working when responding to vulnerable persons reported missing from mental health care settings.
south_east
An independent inquiry into the care and treatment of Ms … — Rec 6
The “Patients who are absent without leave or who are missing from hospital” policy (CP17) needs reviewing following clarification between the police and the Trust and the crisis service and the inpatient wards on the respective responsibilities for returning patients to hospital.
south_east
Independent investigation: Jan Jensen, Hassocks (2012) — Rec R2
The trust should further review the AWOL/missing persons policy in conjunction with Sussex Police and should ensure that staff in both organisations understand its operation.
south_east
Independent investigation: Abdullah Jama, Blackheath (2009) — Rec 7
When service users are discharged to third sector or other organisations their support and care package should be formally agreed and there should be suitable robust contingency plans in place if service users go missing.
north_east_yorkshire
Domestic Homicide Reviews(17)
Norfolk — recommendation M
The Missing Person Force Policy Document section on completing ‘safe and well’ checks is recommended for amendment to include the following wording; “where abuse or exploitation are considered to be a possible factor, extensive efforts should be made to speak with the person alone”.
Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk — recommendation H
It is recommended that Central East (CE) Basic Command Unit Senior Leadership Team (SLT) remind all BCU Operations room supervisors of the importance of using professional curiosity when prioritising and assessing requests to assist other police areas to conduct missing person enquires and to ask for more detailed risk assessments …
Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
Oxford — recommendation 19
Thames Valley Police Protecting Vulnerable Strategy Unit to conduct research into other police force areas’ approaches in relation to the role of Missing Person Co-ordinator and/or a dedicated Missing Persons Investigation Unit. This could be used as a basis for Thames Valley Police to review their own approach to this …
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Oxford — recommendation 18
Thames Valley Police to issue further practical guidance to clarify the use of ‘investigator summaries’ and the frequency of reviews (to include Detective Inspector reviews) in NICHE RMS when managing missing person investigations.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Oxford — recommendation 16
Thames Valley Police to carry out dip sampling of missing person records to ensure that adequate reporting standards are being met.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Oxford — recommendation 8
Thames Valley Police to provide role/rank based training and reference materials to Sergeants and Inspectors providing guidance on how best to use Niche Record Management System (whiteboard) to carry out their reviewing responsibilities for Missing Person Investigations in relation to: Risk assessment approval/amendment Action management Closure …
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Oxford — recommendation 6
Thames Valley Police to consider and implement options in relation to who should conduct research (secondary investigation) for Missing Person Investigations. An options paper should be completed addressing the viability of the following: Responsibility remaining with the attending officer Missing Person Co-ordinator Information Research Bureau
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Oxford — recommendation 4
Thames Valley Police to carry out an audit in six months’ time to assess whether the new Niche RMS system is correctly creating a record for every missing person report. The quarterly held performance meeting (chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable) in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation and Missing People …
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
East Staffordshire — recommendation iii.
Reassurance should be sought by Staffordshire Police that 'prevention interviews' following missing persons episodes consider safeguarding measures and referrals to appropriate services.
Staffordshire Police
Staffordshire Police
Oxford — recommendation 7
We recommend that OHFT review its policy and guidance in respect of patients who are AWOL or missing from hospital. We further recommend that this policy and guidance be developed with partner agencies including TVP. OHFT and TVP should agree how expert advice should be sought and how concerns should …
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust | …
Oxford Health NHS Foundation …
Basildon — recommendation 11.7.2
That guidance is reissued to ensure that officers are aware of the requirement to complete the Police Information Report (PIR) in respect of all found high-risk missing persons and children under 18.
Essex Police
Essex Police
Basildon — recommendation 11.7.1
That Force Missing Persons Procedure should be reviewed to reflect the requirement to consider the use of specialist staff, including Missing Person Liaison Officers (MPLOs) and Children and Young People Officers (CYPOs), to conduct vulnerability interviews with frequent missing children. Additional emphasis should be placed on the need to conduct …
Essex Police
Essex Police
Cheltenham — recommendation 4
When agencies contact the police regarding safe and well checks, where possible, the information should be relayed directly (phone/face to face) in order to convey the risk associated with the individuals it concerns. This will support police in ensuring Safe and well checks are conducted appropriately and victims are safeguarded.
All agencies on the Domestic Abuse …
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Norfolk — recommendation 4
That Norfolk Constabulary commission a review of crime recording standards on cases of domestic abuse. This should include a review of calls to domestic incidents, and missing persons reports. Consideration should be given to the routine supervision of incidents, such as missing person reports to identify where abuse has gone …
Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Constabulary
Wandsworth — recommendation MPS1
It is recommended that staff/supervisors from Met CC and Wandsworth Grip and Pace Centre are reminded of their responsibilities and the correct processes when dealing with a potential missing or vulnerable person.
Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
Sefton — recommendation 7
Incidents of concern such as critical incidents and high risk missing persons should be clearly defined and classified and an officer at inspector level (usually a CIM) or above should be identified as the person in charge of it. That individual’s details should be recorded on Storm and if responsibility …
Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police
Norfolk — recommendation L
Norfolk Professional Standards Department produces a ‘Learning Times’ magazine of learning points such as this one. This learning point has been recommended for inclusion and circulation to all officers in the next edition. In this case the domestic abuse concern features on compact and a review of the missing circumstances …
Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Constabulary