Police Scotland has been commended for its “robust and effective” response to missing person cases, with a success rate of over 99% in locating individuals alive over the past four years. According to a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), Police Scotland conducted 16,236 missing person investigations in the 2023/24 financial year. The report, titled Thematic Inspection Of Police Response To Missing Persons in Scotland, highlights that the majority of missing individuals, 60% of whom were under 18, were found alive.
The statistics reveal that more than half (58%) of missing person cases were resolved within 24 hours, and 94% within 48 hours. Police Scotland’s approach to tracing missing persons has been recognised internationally, with police forces around the world adopting similar methods due to their effectiveness. However, the report also underscores the significant demand these investigations place on policing in Scotland, with the equivalent of 900 full-time officers dedicated to missing person inquiries annually.
Mark Hargreaves, HM assistant inspector of constabulary in Scotland, acknowledged Police Scotland’s consistent success in resolving missing person incidents promptly but emphasised the devastating impact on families in cases where individuals are not found or are discovered deceased. The report identifies areas for improvement in the operational response to missing persons and calls for clearer leadership and strategic direction within the force.
Complex factors such as mental health issues or dementia can contribute to individuals going missing, as highlighted in the report. Inspectors commended the high standard of response by police staff who handle missing person calls and noted the dedication of officers in local policing divisions to locating and returning missing individuals swiftly. The National Missing Persons Unit of Police Scotland received praise for its investigative support but also faced challenges due to limited staffing and resources.
While Police Scotland’s operational support division, equipped with tools like dogs, drones, and helicopters, was lauded, the report identified gaps in leadership, governance, and oversight at a national level. Inadequacies in the national missing persons application on mobile phones used by police officers were also noted, leading to inefficiencies in recording information.
The report recommended 11 areas for improvement, including enhanced training for operational officers and the consolidation of missing persons guidance on the Police Scotland intranet. Inspectorate also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration to address repeated instances of individuals going missing. Partner organisations such as local authorities, health services, and third sector groups play a crucial role in preventing missing person incidents and achieving positive outcomes.
In response to the report, Chief Superintendent Matt Paden reaffirmed Police Scotland’s commitment to a person-centred approach in missing person investigations, with a focus on continuous improvement. The Scottish Government commended the professionalism of Police Scotland in managing missing person cases and pledged to work with the force to enhance multi-agency responses. Ongoing funding initiatives and support for the implementation of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland highlight the government’s commitment to safeguarding individuals who go missing in the country.
The report underscores the importance of efficient and coordinated responses to missing person cases, emphasising the need for ongoing training, resource allocation, and inter-agency collaboration to improve outcomes and provide effective support for families and individuals impacted by such incidents.