Missing children: early intervention and better information are key

National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Missing Persons, Chief Constable Mike Veale said:

“Missing children are a complex area of police work which we take extremely seriously.

“The key to getting our response right is a quick and effective assessment of risk using all the relevant information. We are therefore working closely with the College of Policing to identify best practice and I have commissioned a review of all 43 police forces England and Wales. Discussions are also taking place with the Home Office and NCA around a national missing person database.

“It’s important to remember that going missing is often a symptom of deeper challenges in a young person’s life. By the time they disappear, many opportunities to intervene early and address the underlying causes have already been missed. This is not a problem the police can solve on their own. We need all agencies - including health and social services - to come together and focus on providing consistent, coordinated and timely support to those in need.”