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If you think someone has gone missing

If you are concerned that someone has gone missing, you can contact your local police station straight away. However, it's a good idea to make your own enquiries first. Contact anyone who you think might know the whereabouts of the missing person before you go to the police.

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Reporting someone missing – what the police will do

When you report someone as missing, the police will take a report from you. The report will be used to flag up the person as missing on the Police National Computer. This means information about the missing person will be available to all police forces across the UK within 48 hours.

For the report, the police may ask for information from you like:

• photos of the missing person
  
• details of events that may have led to their disappearance
  
• places the missing person is known to have visited
  
• details of other friends or relatives
  
• you might be asked to provide something that the missing person’s DNA can be taken from, like a toothbrush
  

It may be necessary for the police to search your home. This is normal procedure and doesn’t mean you are under suspicion.

Missing people – charities that can help

There are several charities that help both people searching for missing adults and children, and people who have gone missing.

Missing People charity

The charity Missing People supports missing children and adults and those left behind. It runs a confidential, 24-hour, freephone helpline: 116 000.

Missing People also produces and circulates posters of missing people and generates publicity by making appeals through the internet, TV, newspapers and magazines. In addition, it has a range of resources and guidance surrounding the legal and financial repercussions of having a family member go missing.

• Missing People - guidance for families Opens new window

Missing Kids charity

The Missing Kids website gives advice to parents and contains a searchable database of missing children. Each record includes posters with photos, a description of the child and details of when they were last seen. The posters can be downloaded and printed from the website.

Only the police are able to add new cases to the site. If you would like your child to be included in the database, you will need to report them as missing to the police. The police officer dealing with your case will be able to advise whether using Missing Kids is right for your case.

• Missing Kids UK Opens new window

Other charities supporting parents of missing children

There are other charities that specialise in supporting families of children who have gone missing and publicising cases. These include:

• Forever Searching
• Railway Children

• Forever Searching Opens new window

• Railway Children Opens new window

People missing abroad – what to do

If you are worried about a relative or friend who has gone missing abroad, contact your local police force. Your local police force will liaise with the relevant foreign police through Interpol. Interpol is an international police organisation, which operates in more than 187 countries around the world.

If the missing person is a British passport holder, you should also contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 020 7008 1500. Ask for the Consular Protection for the country where they’ve gone missing.

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice on missing persons Opens new window

Child abduction

If your child has been abducted overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can give advice on what to do and who to contact. ‘International child abduction’ outlines what the FCO can do to help.

‘Passport applications and child abductions’ explains how the Identity and Passport Service can help by blocking applications for child passports.

Reunite is a UK charity offering advice and support to parents and family members who have had their child abducted.

• International child abduction (crime, justice and the law section)

• Passport applications and child abductions (travel and transport section)

• Reunite charity Opens new window

What happens when a missing person is found

Sometimes people who go missing don’t want to get back in touch with friends and relatives when they are found. If the police find the missing person, they won’t pass on information they have about their whereabouts without the person’s permission. However, the police will let you know the person is safe and well.

If the missing person is vulnerable, eg because of poor health or age, the police may contact family and friends, health or social services. If the missing person is under 18, the parent or guardian will always be notified if they are found.

If you are missing: getting back in touch

If you think you have been reported missing and would like to get back in touch, visit your local police station. Take some proof of your identity, like a passport or driving licence.

If you would rather not contact the police, the charity Missing People can contact the police anonymously on your behalf.

You can contact Missing People at freephone 116 000 or by emailing them at: messagehome@missingpeople.org.uk

• Missing People website Opens new window

Reporting a sighting of a missing person

If you think you have seen a missing person, give details of where and when you saw them to the police.

If you would prefer to report a sighting without giving your personal details, you can contact Missing People on freephone 116 000 or by emailing: seensomeone@missingpeople.org.uk

• Missing People website Opens new window

More useful links

• Running away from home and missing people (young people section)

• Look for them website Opens new window

• Missing you website Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts