ABSTRACT
In the UK, when a person is reported as ‘missing’ it remains the statutory responsibility of the police service to investigate what has happened. Legislation places a positive obligation on police officers ‘to take all reasonable action within their powers to safeguard the rights of individuals who may be at risk’ (ACPO, 2013). A failure to investigate a report effectively may leave the missing person in danger and the police service vulnerable to legal challenge and criticism. Missing person investigations represent a real risk to the life and wellbeing of the missing person. They should therefore be treated at an appropriate level of priority, with proportionate resourcing applied and using the best assets available. These assets may include those sitting both within and externally to the police service.
