How to get help when a child goes missing – and when to call 999

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Knowing what to do and acting quickly in the critical moments after a child goes missing can make a big difference. The first hours are often vital and the first step should always be to contact the police.

More than 70,000 children are reported missing each year in Britain. Most are found quickly, but contacting the police early makes this much more likely.

Independent aims to raise £165,000 for charity Missing Persons launches SafeCallA new free service offering confidential support, safety and advice to missing children. A child is reported missing every two and a half minutes in the UK, and on average a missing child dies every week.

Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to donate £10 to Missing People, enough for one child to get help.

Paul Joseph, head of the Missing People helpline, said: Independent: “It’s all about minimizing people being harmed or at risk of serious harm. And we know that when someone goes missing, that person is more likely to be harmed.”

To report someone missing you can call 101 or make a report via your local police website. If there is an emergency or a child is lost, call 999 immediately.

Paul Joseph, head of the Missing People helpline, explains what to do when a child goes missing (Missing Persons)

The police will expect you to carry out some basic checks and contact family or friends, but will not ask you to carry out your own search. It is always better to make contact early so officers can act quickly.

When reporting, provide as much detail as possible: where the child was last seen, what he or she was wearing, belongings he or she owns, and places he or she frequently visits. A physical description, including any scars or birthmarks, is also vital.

If there is anything that makes them particularly vulnerable, such as a medical condition, mental health issue or risk from certain people, report it to the police immediately.

Parm Sandhu, a former chief commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said it was still important to contact authorities even if someone went missing frequently. “Police never say, ‘Why are you reporting this child missing?’ “He will not say,” he said. “The job of the police is to keep people safe, and that includes children.”

Police will respond within an hour of making a report, assessing the level of risk before deciding on the next step.

Mr Joseph added: “The first minutes, hours and days of a missing person investigation are really important. The longer someone is away, the more risk they face and the earlier police start investigating, the more likely they are to be found.”

Depending on the level of concern, officers may search the home, check local hospitals, review security cameras or knock on doors near where the child was last seen. They may also look at mobile or computer activity.

Children sometimes fear that they will get in trouble for getting lost, but this is never the case. Everyone’s goal is to make sure they are safe.

Where to go for help

If you need help talking to the police or are looking for emotional support or advice, Missing People can help you at any time of the day.

Ms Sandhu said: “They offer a holistic, comprehensive service; charities such as Missing People can provide advice to parents and work directly with families.”

If you are a child in need of help, call Kids Line Open 0800 1111.
If you are an adult worried about a child, NSPCC Open 0808 800 5000.
If you’re struggling or having trouble, get in touch Samaritans Open 116 123 (UK and ROI).

Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign launched by Independent and Missing People to help raise £165,000 to create a free service for vulnerable children in crisis.

If you or a loved one gets lost, text or call for advice, support and options Missing People in 116 000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental, or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help.