It is a traumatic experience when someone goes missing; however, it is critical that you take immediate action, especially when the person could be in danger. Search their home or the place the person was last seen, in case the person is hiding or may have fallen and been injured. Remember that children can hide in very small spaces

• Look out for any notes or clues that may suggest where they may be
• Check to see if they have left you a message on your phone voicemail or email
• Contact family members, friends and the person’s place of work to verify that they are actually missing and not simply somewhere unexpected.

It may be helpful to keep a record in a notebook of what you have done (including all phone calls) and anything that seems out of the ordinary or suspicious, to assist the police and help keep track of what still needs to be done. Most people who go missing return, or are found within 48 hours, with only around 1% still remaining missing after a year. However, if you have established that someone is missing and you are concerned, report them as missing to your local police force immediately – remember, you do not have to wait 24 hours before reporting them. You can use the 101 non-emergency number or if you feel that the missing person may be at risk or harm dial 999.

The following PDF documents have been put together by the National Missing Persons Bureau and the Police to help you:

What to do if someone you know has gone missing

Organisations for help and support

Reference Guide

Practical Issues

Information on Police Investigations

Missing Abroad

How Publicity can help

Lost Contact

Report Sightings