Police Scotland’s response to missing persons has been praised as ‘robust and effective’ after a review of the force with others from around the world now adopting their practices.
A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) states more than 16,000 missing person investigations were carried out by Police Scotland last year.
Over the last four years, 99 percent of people reported missing were traced alive and more than half of those involved with aged under 18.
The report also found that 58 percent of incidents were resolved within the first eight hours and 94 percent within 48 hours. Many of the people involved returned by themselves, but figures from the UK Missing Persons Unit show Police Scotland officers found almost two thirds of people in the cases it investigated.
Inspectors praised the competence and professionalism of Police Scotland in its approach to missing person investigations and revealed it was so effective that other forces from around the world have approached Scotland’s leaders to adopt similar practices.
The review did find there are other areas where improvements can be made, despite the overall response being ‘very good’.
It said investigations placed a ‘significant’ demand on policing in Scotland with the equivalent of 900 full-time officers dedicated to inquiries each year.
And HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Mark Hargreaves, said despite the vast majority of missing people being traced, the heartbreak experienced by those whose loved ones were not found safe and well must never be forgotten.
Mr Hargreaves said: “Police Scotland has demonstrated consistent success in resolving missing person incidents and locating people as swiftly as possible.
“However, the impact on families in the relatively small number of situations where a person is not found, or tragically is found dead, can be devastating.
“We have highlighted where improvements can be made in the operational response when someone is reported missing.
“More too needs to be done to ensure that clear leadership and strategic direction is in place.”
HMICS report also revealed the many reasons why a person may go missing, which includes mental health issues and dementia.
Children and young people account for 60 percent of all missing persons, with the majority reported from their own home – although some are reported from residential childcare.
The ‘very high standard’ of response given by staff who initially receive missing person calls has also been praised.
They said operational response from local divisions was also ‘very good’ with officers ‘highly committed’ to returning people ‘as quickly as possible’.
Police Scotland’s National Missing Persons Unit was also commended, but inspectors did warn about limited staffing and resources and found ‘gaps at a national level’ when it came to leadership, governance and oversight.
There were also concerns raised over a computer programme used by Police Scotland for missing people.
The National Missing Persons Application was described as a ‘welcome introduction’ and did not work effectively on hand-held mobile devices used by police, meaning officers had to travel to and from police stations to record information.
Inspectors did say the principles of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland was a particular strength in the country, and there was nothing similar in other parts of the UK.
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Despite that, it was found that too few officers and staff within Police Scotland knew of its existence and more needed done to promote the aims of the framework.
It was also found that almost a quarter of people reported missing once would go missing again.
Mr Hargreaves said: “The issue of some people being reported missing repeatedly presents a considerable challenge to police and partners - as the response to missing persons is not solely a police matter.
“The contribution of partner organisations, including local authorities, health services and third sector partners is critical to achieving positive outcomes for missing people.
“We have found that while some areas can demonstrate effective partnership working that has resulted in better preventative approaches and a reduction in missing person incidents, this needs to be more consistent across the country.”
The HMICS report makes 11 recommendations for improvement, including better ongoing training for operational officers and supervisors, and that all guidance relating to missing people be brought together on the Police Scotland intranet. It also lists a further six areas for development.
Mr Hargreaves said: “Missing person investigations can be complex in nature and are, without doubt, a high-risk area of policing. We have outlined recommendations intended to support Police Scotland to drive improvement.”
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