First reported 21 Aug 2013•Latest report 19 May 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls dedicated to the missing-person response, such as staff understanding of the procedure, risk classification, communication of status, searches, escalation, agency coordination and family notification.
Not included
Excludes generic delays in escalation or communication that are not explicitly connected to a missing-person response.
Excludes unrelated patient-deterioration, emergency-response or clinical-escalation failures.
Excludes general accessibility or communication deficiencies concerning visits, relatives or care unless they concern notification or coordination within a missing-person response.
Reports
45
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
75
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
112
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Metropolitan Police Service8
College of Policing7
Greater Manchester Police5
Department of Health and Social Care4
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust4
West Midlands Police4
East London NHS Foundation Trust3
Home Office3
National Police Chiefs’ Council3
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust3
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust2
NHS England2
North London NHS Foundation Trust2
Sussex Police2
Association Of British Neurologists1
Police force28
NHS trust22
National policing body8
Ministerial department6
Integrated care board3
Executive non-departmental public body2
Registered charity2
Type not available2
Charitable incorporated organisation1
English county council1
English metropolitan district council1
English unitary authority1
External territorial police force1
London borough council1
Multi-service care provider1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Inner North London
Concerns raised3
Lack of clear staff procedures after a resident is found by police
Failure to report an unexpectedly absent resident missing
Lack of MPS guidance to frontline officers on people likely to be missing but not yet reported missing
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Review the missing-person policy and wider policies and procedures to clarify when residents should be reported missing.
Stated by Prime Life LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Action
Provide additional training to Island Place staff and managers on when and how quickly residents should be reported missing.
Stated by Prime Life LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
No staff action was considered necessary after London police contact because the resident had capacity and was entitled to travel and leave the service.
Stated by Prime Life LimitedNo action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Position
Even if reported missing, officers lacked further legal powers because he was an adult and section 136 criteria were unmet.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
The resident was not considered missing while his whereabouts were known through hospital and police contacts, so reporting was not considered necessary earlier.
Stated by Prime Life LimitedDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised2
Failure to provide attending police officers with the written risk rating
Failure to maintain an accurate and up-to-date missing person policy
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Replace Appendix C with a decision-recording form documenting the reasons for critical concern and provide it to attending police officers.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Establish a process for officers to request electronic risk assessments through a central Locate Team inbox with overnight supervisory monitoring.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Update and approve the missing persons policy to incorporate RCRP, national guidance, partnership requirements and inquest feedback.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Assign accountability for the missing persons policy to the new Executive Director of Quality and Safety/Chief Nursing Officer.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Continue updating and circulating the escalation process when contact details change.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Publish the National Partnership Agreement setting principles and guidance for applying Right Care Right Person at the policing–mental health interface.
Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Action
Develop and publish national Right Care Right Person guidance, toolkit and implementation materials for police forces and partner agencies.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 June 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Operational and clinical partners are best placed to respond to relevant concerns and reassess local risk, communication and escalation processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Specific issues concerning police ways of working are for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing and West Midlands Police to address.
Stated by Home OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Missing Persons is outside Right Care Right Person, so existing police procedures for police involvement should continue.
Stated by Home OfficeExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
RCRP did not apply because the case was treated as a missing person involving immediate risk requiring police response.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
South Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised1
Failure to assess missing-person vulnerability without relying on assumptions about addiction
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Update Missing Persons APP to warn against imprecise, value-laden terminology and require clear descriptions relevant to risk assessment.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 February 2024.
Action
Publish Evidence Based Guidelines on vulnerability-related risk assessment, including gathering information from multiple sources to inform professional risk judgements.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 February 2024.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Confusion about police contact when a patient is missing
This report raised 14 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Implement the Right Care, Right Person approach with health partners, aligning policies, terminology and information requirements for risk assessment and police support.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Action
Review the Trust’s responses and related reports to determine whether further action is needed.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Action
Revise the Missing and AWOL Policy to clarify safe responses when patients abscond from escorted leave.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Operational decisions about missing-person investigations are outside the Home Office’s authority.
Stated by Home OfficeOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Responsibility for operational missing-person decisions rests with individual police forces and their Chief Officers.
Stated by Home OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The MPS Affinity Protocol is considered sufficient because it reflects the NPCC framework for missing persons from healthcare settings.
Stated by Home OfficeExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Many concerns concern East London Foundation Trust and Metropolitan Police policy, making NHS England inappropriate to respond to them.
Stated by NHS EnglandOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Inner North London
Concerns raised3
Failure to make proper efforts to contact a missing patient's family
Delays in notifying police and ambulance services when a patient is missing
Failure to follow the missing-patient response policy and identify required contacts and methods
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Add explicit family-contact instructions to the updated missing-patient policy and discuss them with Gardner Ward staff.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Action
Reinforce correct escalation processes for missing service users through the Gardner Ward Time to Think forum.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Action
Ratify the reviewed Missing and Absent Without Leave policy.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Action
Engage senior-level Metropolitan Police partners to develop a coordinated response strategy for missing inpatients.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 June 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised3
Lack of understanding of how to apply golden hour guidance and its required timescales
Unclear effectiveness of missing-person training in supporting high-risk assessments
Lack of understanding of how to access mobile phone data such as cell site data
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.10
Action
Develop and disseminate a seven-minute briefing on mental-health terminology, associated risk, Golden Hour principles, communications data, costs, and Aide Memoire use.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Circulate an interim memorandum to District Commanders for dissemination on mental-health terminology, risk, Golden Hour tasks, and mobile-phone data access.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Review the Missing from Home Policy wording on medium-risk Golden Hour timescales and consider clarification.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Review whether further supervisor training on missing-person investigations, risk assessment, Golden Hour principles, communications data, and costs should be provided and determine its form.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Include Golden Hour guidance, cell-siting costs, family updates, and mental-health learning in operational briefings, then verify completion across districts.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Re-circulate the Missing from Home Policy 2022 and Aide Memoires through existing continuous professional development channels.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Monitor completion of the actions identified in the Regulation 28 response through the Strategic Learning Board.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Determine and implement a method to measure staff understanding and the briefing’s effectiveness.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Disseminate guidance that mobile-phone tracing and cell-site enquiries should be considered for medium- and high-risk missing persons, with rationale recorded when not pursued.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Action
Create and distribute a communications-data guide covering Cycomms, mobile-phone enquiries, and access for medium- and high-risk missing persons.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 May 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Cost to GMP must never justify not using mobile phone data for medium- or high-risk missing persons.
Stated by Greater Manchester PoliceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Swansea Neath Port Talbot
Concerns raised2
Lack of formal guidance, training, and protocols for correlating COMPACT risk assessments with ACT stop priority instructions
Mismatch between COMPACT risk assessments and ACT stop priority instructions
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Adapt national ACT and ReACT guidance into an MPS digital training package for frontline officers, covering risk alignment, priority grading, information and response requirements.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 February 2023.
Action
Introduce an SLA requiring inspector authorisation for low- and medium-priority ACT reports, 24-hour nominated contacts, and ownership of review and removal of obsolete entries.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 February 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Individual police forces are responsible for operational missing-person investigations, while the College of Policing sets applicable standards and guidance.
Stated by Home OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Current police guidance is readily available and clearly sets out the actions officers should take in equivalent circumstances.
Stated by Home OfficeExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Current ACT instructions require a STOP instruction for comparable missing-person cases and specify the action officers should take after an ANPR activation.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Operational policing matters fall outside the Home Office’s authority, so it cannot intervene in police officers’ operational decisions.
Stated by Home OfficeOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to classify reported people as missing persons
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Review priority and internally generated log recording, conduct quality assurance audits, provide feedback, and deliver missing-person training to Force Contact staff.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Create a Support Desk with continuity of staffing, increased supervisory oversight, focused Locate training and ongoing support for service calls including missing persons.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Consider establishing a specialist Force Contact desk for complex calls, including missing-person reports, with dedicated support and training.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Conduct detailed audits of missing-person call handling, risk assessment and compliance with the 12 key questions.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Run a pilot introducing early Inspector review, central control and progression for missing-person investigations, with escalation and ongoing initial-stage management.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Develop a Locate learning portal with a missing-person toolkit and partner-agency information in consultation with stakeholders.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Maintain and refresh the online missing-person training package, requiring officer completion and embedding it in student officer training.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Upgrade the COMPACT missing-person recording system to improve prevention interviews, risk documentation, information sharing and data insight.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local policing arrangements are outside the Health Minister’s remit.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Dorset
Concerns raised2
Ambiguity in Dorset Police policies for welfare concerns, missing persons, and call handling, grading and deployment
Lack of staff knowledge of Dorset Police welfare, missing persons, and call handling policies
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Embed the adopted missing-person policy changes into working practice.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Action
Review the concern-for-welfare policy to incorporate current physical and mental ill-health trends and professional guidance.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Action
Implement revised call-handling, deployment and grading policies with risk assessment and performance monitoring.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Action
Evaluate how revised policies affect deployment decisions and complete the commissioned external audit.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Action
Deliver Vulnerability 4 training on welfare, missing-person and deployment policies to relevant staff and officers.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Action
Disseminate the updated missing-person policy and provide recurring contact-centre refresher training.
Stated by Dorset PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 September 2022.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Lack of staff awareness of the requirement to commence missing person procedures immediately
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures of controls dedicated to the missing-person response, such as staff understanding of the procedure, risk classification, communication of status, searches, escalation, agency coordination and family notification.
