Everything you should do if you believe someone is missing

Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK, which is more than 170,000 people a year. Of these, about 75,000 are children, and nearly 96,000 are adults. When a loved one goes missing, it can be difficult to know what to do.

Earlier this year, The teamed up with the charity Missing People to launch the Missed campaign, raising awareness of . The police and Missing People provide advice on how to cope when someone you know goes missing, as well as what steps need to be taken - and we've used this to put together a simple guide outlining each important part of the process, from making the report to searching for your loved one.

How can you report a missing person?

If , you should contact anyone you think may know their whereabouts, and if you’re still concerned, contact your local police.

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It is a common misconception that you have to wait 24 hours before contacting the police. If you are concerned, report it straight away.

The police may ask you for a photo of the missing person, details of their friends and relatives, places they often visit, whether they have a medical condition, and for a sample of their DNA (such as from a toothbrush).

The person will be recorded as missing and their details made available to other UK police forces within 48 hours.

If someone goes missing abroad, you should contact your local police, who will then contact the force in the relevant country through Interpol, as well as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. You can do this by calling 020 7008 5000 and asking for ‘Consular Assistance’.

What will the police do during a missing person case?

The police will sometimes allocate a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) to a missing person case, who will act as a consistent point of contact for the family, and provide support and information about the investigation.

After 72 hours, the police working on the case have to tell the UK Unit, which is part of the National Crime Agency. The unit carries out enquiries on behalf of local forces, keeps a database of missing and found people, and manages the forensic database of DNA profiles and fingerprints.

The police will also have to decide if a case is high risk, medium risk, low risk, or no apparent risk, after a person is reported missing. They will take into account factors like age and health - but the risk level can change during the investigation if new information comes to light or circumstances change.

How can you find a missing person?

As well as reporting the missing person to the police, you can call the person, search the places where you think they could be, and speak to people that may know where they are, the Missing People charity explained. You could try ringing around to see if they have had any recent unidentified individuals admitted.

You should ask family and friends to help you as this can “speed things up and make you feel more supported and less alone”. It is also a good idea to make a note of all the things you have done, places you have searched, and the people you have spoken to, as this may be helpful later.

If the person is still missing after several weeks, you should make sure to know who your point of contact is in the police and what is happening in the search. You should also think about publicity and can share posts on social media to raise awareness.

Missing People said: “When sharing our appeal, if you feel comfortable to do so, you could try targeting useful agencies such as local newspapers and asking them to share it.” You could also reach out to your loved one’s favourite sports team, if they have one, to ask them to help share the appeal.

If Missing People has launched a public posted campaign for your loved one, you will receive a copy via email. You can hand this out to places like pubs, nature reserves, and cafes, as well as other places where they have lots of connections such as a town they used to live in.

Talking to family and friends about how you’re feeling, or seeking professional support, is a good idea if they remain missing after several months. There are many ways to keep the media interested in your appeal after a long time, such as by making a page or group on social media, launching fundraisers, and getting in touch with media outlets as you reach notable timelines.

Missing People advised: “If you have any photographs of your loved one which you have not yet shared publicly, consider if you would like to share them online and with the media. Sometimes having a new photograph, or even an alternative such as them with a beard or without, can help to create more interest in the appeal. It can also jog peoples’ memories.”

It may be worth considering whether Age Progression would be useful if your loved one has been missing a long time. This method involves changing a photo of the person to show how they would look after aging or maturing.

The police warn against putting yourself in danger while searching for your loved one. It says: “Let police deal with any specialist searches in places like mountains or water.” However, there are things you can do to help with the search, which includes leaving the missing person’s bedroom and things alone, and not touching their hairbrush or toothbrush, as this could be used to collect a DNA sample.

When is a missing person case closed?

A missing person case is only closed when the person is found. However, when it has been 12 months, the investigation will be reviewed to consider if it can become a “Long Term Missing” case.

During the process, there will likely be several reviews held by the police. Guidance states that reviews should be completed at the latest after 28 days, three months, six months, and 12 months, then annually thereafter. It explains: “If significant information comes to light, this should trigger an immediate review. Consideration may also be given to cold case reviews of outstanding missing person cases.”

Families should be “given reasonable expectations about ongoing contact during long-term cases” and be told about the review process and updated on the outcomes. Missing People said: “If you do not feel like these expectations are being followed by your police force you should ask to speak to the responsible officer and explain your concerns. If you still feel that they are not communicating reasonably regularly you can consider making a complaint.”

For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call Missing People’s Helpline on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental, and sightings information can also be taken. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk