Missing Persons Flashcards
Missing persons facts.
Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK.
186,000 people are reported missing every year in the UK.
365,000 incidents reported every year.
1 in 200 children go missing in the UK.
1 in 500 adults go missing in the UK.
20% of all national reports are recorded by the Metropolitan Police.
What are 4 reasons children go missing?
Pushing boundaries at home – growing up / defiant.
Truanting from school – bullying and online bullying.
Mental health issues – may include self-harming and suicide.
Conflict, abuse or neglect at home.
Victims of child sexual exploitation.
Victims of child criminal exploitation.
Children living in care.
Human trafficking.
What is a missing person?
Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing or otherwise is confirmed.
What are potential consequences of police failing to act on missing persons?
- Individuals may be put at risk.
- Opportunities to reduce potential harm are missed.
- Police are left vulnerable to legal challenge over the Human Rights Act 1998 or civil law negligence.
- Police suffer reputational damage.
What constitutes low, medium, and high level risk (missing persons)?
Low risk - The risk of harm to the subject or the public is assessed as possible but minimal.
Medium risk - The risk of harm to the subject or the public is assessed as likely but not serious.
High risk - The risk of serious harm to the subject or the public is assessed as very likely.
What are the required police responses to low, medium and high risk (missing persons)
Low - Proportionate enquiries should be carried out to ensure that the individual has not come to harm
Medium - This category requires an active and measured response by the police and other agencies in order to trace the missing person and support the person reporting.
High - This category almost always requires the immediate deployment of police resources.
Under Sec 46(1) of the Children Act 1989, an officer has the power to remove a child to a safe place if they have reasonable cause to believe what?
A: That a child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm.
On reporting a child missing from a care home, a support worker tells you that you need to use your powers to place them under police protection and bring them back. Why is this not correct?
A: Sec 46 can only be considered once the child is found and not before. You must see the child and assess the circumstances.
Sec 46 is an emergency power and should only be used when absolutely necessary.
What is regarded as suitable accommodation under Sec 46?
Police station – last resort
Local authority accommodation. This will be the normal place to use.
Registered children’s home
Foster care
Relatives if inspector and local authority approve
Hospital if medical treatment required
Who do you need to notify that you have used your power under Sec 46?
Duty officer. Inspector is the designated officer who oversees the use of the power and circumstances.
Local authority need to know where found, why the power was used and where the child is currently being accommodated.
Child. Find out the child’s wishes and explain to them what is happening if they are old enough to understand.
Parents / carers. As soon as possible inform those with parental responsibility for the child.
Before removing a person to a place of safety under MHA Sec 136, what must the officer be satisfied of?
A: A person must appear to be suffering from mental disorder and to be in immediate need of care or control.
It is necessary to show the need for care and control is immediate. It is not enough to be suffering a mental disorder alone.
Considerable numbers of people live within the community and deal with their mental health issues successfully.
Under the MHA, where would a place of safety be?
Hospital, including independent hospitals (most likely)
Social service residential accommodation
Care home for mentally disordered people
Police station (PACE Code C applies and no more than 24 hours)
If you are transporting someone displaying poor mental health, an ambulance or health service transport should be used.
How are police able to deal with a person inside a residential premises who is displaying signs of poor mental health?
A: Sec 135 MHA.
A warrant must be obtained from a magistrates’ court.
Medical professionals (including mental health services) and police can obtain such a warrant.
Power of entry is granted to police with an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) present.
The warrant includes a power to remove the person.
What criteria must be satisfied before an officer can act under the Mental Capacity Act?
Any action must be in the person’s best interests
The person must be encouraged to participate as fully as possible
All reasonable, practicable steps have been taken to achieve participation
A decision needs to be made on their behalf
The person’s wishes have been considered – including beliefs and values if known
Views of carer / anyone the person wants consulted or to have power of attorney have been considered
Proportionate and reasonable restraint to prevent harm can be used
What is a prevention interview?
An investigation (interview) into the full circumstances of the person going missing are explored and appropriate safeguarding measures put in place.
Prevention interviews are conducted by the police and are different to Return Home interviews, which are often provided by third sector partners (social services / Missing People charity) and are conducted subsequently to further assist supporting the individual if required. Not everyone gets a Return Home interview.
