Tracing missing people (lost contact, not hope)
We’ve all seen posters on shop and public walls, appealing for help to find missing persons. Often they have disappeared without trace, sometimes it may be people with mental health issues, and sometimes perhaps people who don’t even want to be found.
Miracle Messages is a US organisation founded by Kevin Adler which we could emulate here. It reunites ‘missing’ people with loved ones, often after years of families not being able to find relatives. To help reduce homelessness.
But of course such disappearances are traumatic for families and friends, so here are a few pointers on how to help. Also read how to find lost pets.
To report a missing person, call the police station (or 999 for emergencies – people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired can register at Emergency SMS to text 999 for emergencies). Or dial 101.
You don’t have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing
Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK, which is quite astounding. That’s over 170,000 people each year. And nearly 75,000 of them are children.
The good news is that most of them are found pretty quickly, the bad news is that many go missing, due to neglect or feeling forced to leave. Read more on how to find help for domestic abuse (for people and pets)
- Missing People is a charity that will also pass on information to the Police and provide support. Call on 116 000 (Europe-wide). You can call anonymously (also at Crimestoppers).
- Missing People offers a free confidential helping, and a specialised ‘Lost Contact’ system that acts as a neutral intermediary for relatives who wish to connect.
- Salvation Army is a Christian charity offering a famiy tracing service.
- Locate International offers a service for cases that remain unsolved for over 12 months.
Why do people go missing?
- Some young people go missing due to human trafficking. Many adults due to mental health issues, relationship breakdown or escaping domestic abuse.
- 1 in 50 people is due to financia problems (learn how to get out of debt).
- A few people feel suicidal, learn how to find help for depression.
- In a few cases, due to being kidnapped or murdered.
What to do if someone goes missing
Check the person’s home and places where they like going, look for notes including on social media. Send a message to say you’re concerned, and to get in touch.
Contact the police (and Missing People). Most people return in 48 hours:
- Name, age and address.
- What the person looks like, with clothing and identifying marks.
- The person’s mobile phone number (and service provider)
- Medical information (and if the person is vulnerable)
- Vehicles and last known movements
- Possessions (taken or left behind)
UK National Missing Persons Unit helps to reduce time spent by police on finding missing people. It serves UK and overseas police agencies, with a database to cross-match people, bodies and remains.
Her late parents set up The Suzy Lamplugh Trust was set up by the parents of a missing estate agent, and offers free advice for safety (home, work, online, travel, students) and has a stalking helpline.
How many people go missing worldwide?
The USA has around half a million people go missing each year, the highest ratio on earth. 88 people go missing each hour in India, and most other countries with high rates are either at war or have high crime due to drug cartels – Syria, Colombia, Mexico).
Nigeria also has a lot of missing persons – some due to illegal adoption, organ harvesting and even ritual sacrifices.
