NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 1.0 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Summary of Changes This procedure has been amended to include the following: All references to MPLOs (Missing Person Liaison Officers) have been removed and their roles replaced with the appropriate officers; The Command Team Reviews have been amended from different time scales in accordance to the risk assessment to the same time scales for all with further review times to be at the discretion of the Command Team member reviewing the incident; With the increasing use of Child Abduction Warning notices (CAWNs) some guidance for officers has been included; Paragraphs 3.12 and 3.12.1 have been clarified to show that CT Reviews are timed from the time the misper is reported to the police. 2.0 What this Procedure is about This procedure details the principles for recording and investigating missing persons. It provides a structure for obtaining and utilising information in order to conduct a riskbased, methodical and thorough investigation. This may include enquiries into their family, medical and social history, activities, associates and other personal enquiries. It defines areas of responsibility and actions to be undertaken by police officers and staff. The ACPO definition of a missing person is: "Anyone whose whereabouts is unknown whatever the circumstances of their disappearance. They will be considered missing until they are located and their wellbeing or otherwise is established." Missing person enquiries may develop into a critical incident or involve a serious crime such as murder. The initial risk assessment, actions and recording of the incident may prove critical in achieving a successful outcome. A comprehensive audit trail is essential to aid the investigation and assist in future missing person reports. The Local Policing Area (LPA) in which the missing person resides will be responsible for the management of an investigation into their whereabouts. Any exception to this general principle must be agreed by a Command Team Member and documented on COMPACT and the STORM incident if still open. In circumstances where the location of a person is unknown but police involvement is not appropriate i.e. tracing a relative or friend, the informant should be directed to the relevant tracing agencies. They will not be dealt with by police as a missing person. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 1 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 It is recognised that a person over 18 years with mental capacity may be absent through their own choice. Their right to privacy must be observed and details of their location not divulged. Compliance with this procedure and any governing policy is mandatory. 3.0 Detail the Procedure 3.1 Missing Person Investigation - An Overview The purpose of the investigation is to identify the movements of the missing person in order to establish their current whereabouts and / or wellbeing. The LPA Response and Patrol (R&P) Inspector will be responsible for the initial risk assessment and management of the initial missing person enquiries. At the appropriate juncture, usually within 24 hours, the incident will be passed to the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Inspector who will assume responsibility for the ongoing investigation. Inspectors must ensure that missing person incidents are not to be re-classified as a concern for welfare or an unauthorised absence. The Incident Management Unit (IMU), Crime Bureau (CB) will initially monitor all reported missing person incidents. They will check COMPACT and create a nominal for any individual who is not already registered on the system. Where the nominal is present they will update the STORM incident with the COMPACT PID number, any warning markers and risk factors present. Where FCR have identified the report as High Risk, IMU CB will create a skeleton missing report within COMPACT to be later updated by the OIC. This is to ensure the automatic e-mail is generated and sent to PNC to enable an early PNC Missing report to be created. The COMPACT Database will be used to record and manage all missing person enquiries. It can be used to create new tasks as well as self-generating appropriate tasks for each incident according to the identified risk assessment. It will be used to record the decision making process throughout the investigation including the details of any review conducted in accordance with this procedure. In addition, it will be used to record the full outcome of any investigation providing a valuable source of intelligence and information when dealing with individuals who are frequently reported missing. Any decision to discontinue the use of COMPACT must be approved by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) or a Command Team Member. The rationale will be recorded on the Supervision / Handover task on COMPACT before being shown as inactive on COMPACT. The details of the OIC and manor of recording the ongoing investigation must be shown on the front of the missing report using the ‘edit details’ facility. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 2 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 3.2 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Risk Assessment Missing Persons It is the responsibility of the R&P Inspector to ensure that a risk assessment is completed and regularly reviewed. Consideration should be given to the following: The full circumstances leading to a report of the person as missing Previous risk assessments and warning markers; Local Intelligence and PNC check including any warning markers; In some circumstances, consider PNC checks on the informant and witnesses; Details held by any other partner agency including Probation, Social Services, Mental Health Team or Local Safeguarding Boards. A child under the age of 18 years will never be assessed as low risk. Initial Risk Assessments for ‘Looked After’ children and patients from Mental Health establishments will be completed by their carers prior to contacting police in accordance with the following protocols: Southend, Essex and Thurrock, Children & Young People Who Go Missing or Run Away from Home or Care Protocol; Southend, Essex and Thurrock Multi Agency Protocol for People with Mental Ill Health or Learning Disabilities who are Missing or Absent Without Leave from Care. The ACPO risk assessment will be classified as follows: 3.2.1 High Risk The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds to believe: They are in danger due to their own vulnerability; They are likely to be a danger to themselves, another or the public; They may be a victim, or the perpetrator of a serious crime. 3.2.2 Medium Risk The risk posed is likely to place the missing person or others in danger. 3.2.3 Low Risk There is no apparent threat of danger to either the subject or the public. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 3 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 3.3 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Wanted/Missing If a missing person is known to be wanted by police for an offence, the missing report will be closed and the person dealt with as Wanted only. The exception would be if they are considered particularly vulnerable or suicidal. In these circumstances, the investigative processes and recording requirement of a missing person investigation may be of benefit to ensure a thorough investigation. Children under 18 years who are wanted will continue to be dealt with as a missing person. 3.4 Missing Abroad Essex Police will always record the initial report on STORM and COMPACT. For High Risk - Interpol and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office will be informed. Details of the informant will be passed to the Missing Persons charity. 3.5 Cross Border Cases Essex Police will always record the initial report on STORM and COMPACT. The PPC HQ MPPRO will assist with the negotiations and transfer to other forces. 3.6 The Initial Missing Person Report Where a person receives the report of a missing person they will: Obtain details and circumstances of the disappearance; Identify any immediate risk; Arrange for the missing person investigation to be documented; This can be manually on a form CID 94 or electronically on an MDT; Identify any immediate enquires to be carried out; Ensure a STORM incident is created; Obtain a photograph or arrange a digital photograph to be emailed to either the OIC or [email protected]; Inform FCR and the R&P Duty Inspector. Where the report is received by (FCR) for all incidents they will: Create a STORM incident to record the details and circumstances using the call takers cue card, if not previously created; For reports of children missing from care a specific cue card is used; Inform IMU Crime Bureau by activating the missing person tag; Notify the LPA R&P Duty Inspector requesting a risk assessment; Allocate an appropriate resource to attend in all cases within three hours; NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 4 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Where the incident is considered HIGH RISK it should be treated as a priority in accordance with D 0503 Procedure – Responding to Incidents Upon receipt of a missing person report from FCR, IMU Crime Bureau will search the COMPACT database for the missing person; and If they are on the system; o Check for warning markers, previous risk assessments and found locations – update STORM. If there are no previous record on COMPACT: o Create a nominal using details held on STORM and add the Personal Identification number (PID) to STORM. If there are sightings – FCR will forward calls regarding sightings to IMU Crime Bureau who will update COMPACT by creating a sighting report. 3.7 STORM The details of all persons reported missing will be recorded on STORM. The incident will remain open until recorded on COMPACT and the subsequent Person Identification Number (PID) entered onto the incident. The Supervisor closing the incident must ensure the COMPACT PID has been recorded. Once closed the STORM incident must not be re-opened. Any further information relating to the incident will be recorded on a new STORM incident and cross referenced to the original. 3.8 Areas of Responsibility 3.8.1 Searches All searches will be the responsibility of and managed by the R&P Inspector. They will be responsible for consulting the PolSA duty officer regarding High Risk incidents after all the initial searches have been completed. In all cases within 24 hours if the person has not been located. It will be the decision of PolSA to use, call out and liaise with the volunteer search and rescue organisations. The Duty Inspector may also consider seeking advice from PolSA in Medium Risk cases once all other lines of search enquiries have been completed. 3.8.2 Response and Patrol Inspector The R&P Duty Inspector is responsible for the management of all investigations concerning missing persons within their LPA. On commencement of their duty they will review all live COMPACT reports including the risk assessment and all outstanding actions. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 5 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 They must ensure the COMPACT Supervision/Handover task is regularly updated providing a comprehensive audit trail as well as an informative and effective handover. In addition they will be responsible for the following: Briefing the Command Team or Silver Commander in the event of an incident assessed as High Risk; Where the incident is High Risk and the initial searches have been completed contact POLSA with regard to an ongoing search strategy; Endorse the risk assessment made by the officer completing COMPACT Review the risk assessment regularly Document all lines of enquiry and ensure appropriate tasks are created; Ensure sufficient resources are available to undertake actions and tasks. 3.8.2 Neighbourhood Policing Inspector (NPT) The NPT Inspector will assume responsibility for missing person investigations, in most cases within 24 hours once the duties of R&P are concluded and the STORM incident has been closed. They will retain this responsibility until either the individual is located or the incident is concluded and declared inactive. It is suggested that an OIC be allocated to each missing person investigation to ensure continuity, management of the family and the continued updating of tasks and actions on COMPACT. Details of the OIC must be documented on the missing report on COMPACT. Upon commencement of their duty they will review all live COMPACT reports for their area of responsibility including the risk assessment and all outstanding actions. They must ensure the supervision/handover task is regularly completed on COMPACT providing a comprehensive audit trail as well as informative and effective handover. 3.8.3 Duty Sergeant In all cases the Duty Sergeant will ensure the following is complied with: If acting as the Inspector’s nominated deputy, confirm the risk assessment and endorse the completed CID94 missing person form; Ensure COMPACT has been checked for previous missing reports, warning markers, risk assessments and previously found locations; Ensure a COMPACT log has been created and the actions documented; Provide sufficient resources to manage the initial stage of the investigation; Ensure initial searches have been completed and fully documented. Consider advice and assistance from specialists, i.e. PolSA, Dogs and Air Support. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 6 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 3.8.4 Police Officer Attending The following actions should be prioritised in accordance with the individual incident and is not a definitive list. It is the responsibility of the police officer allocated to the incident to ensure the following actions are completed: Contact the informant; Establish if this is a repeat missing person - check COMPACT for warning markers, person notes and previously found locations; Complete the missing persons form CID94 or MDT and add or update the missing report on COMPACT; Establish any access to a vehicle or property and inform FCR; Obtain a recent photograph or arrange for one to be emailed to the OIC or [email protected]; Search the missing person’s home address to establish they are not present on the premises; A more detailed search of any room likely to contain evidence of their whereabouts or information concerning their disappearance is important and must not be left to friends, family or carers to complete Record on COMPACT details of areas searched/not searched and details of the persons present; Consider obtaining physical evidence of identity unless DNA is already confirmed; Ensure a description and details of the missing person are circulated by FCR; Identify a person as a point of contact for police and obtain telephone numbers; Provide police contact details for the informant; Provide informant with details of the missing people charity for family support; Refer the completed CID94 and risk assessment to a supervisor for endorsement; If identified as HIGH RISK, contact and brief the R&P Duty Inspector immediately. Further guidance can be found within B 1601 Additional Guidance Document. 3.9 Suspicious Circumstances If there is any reason to suspect the circumstances may be suspicious, do not leave the location and treat as a crime scene; Restrict access and begin a log; Contact FCR and request the urgent attendance of the R&P Duty Inspector; Preserve and protect any potential evidence from contamination. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 7 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 3.10 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Recording onto COMPACT The information regarding the missing person investigation must be added to COMPACT as follows within three hours of the initial report; The STORM incident is updated with the COMPACT PID and RID number; A photograph of the missing person is added; Where a recent photograph is not available through family or friends, a convicted or non-convicted photograph via video witness may be used. Where there is evidence the missing report was due to a misunderstanding and highly unlikely to reoccur, for instance a small child lost in a shopping centre, the Duty/FCR Inspector can authorise no further action and dispense with the need for a COMPACT record to be opened. The rationale must be recorded onto the STORM incident. 3.11 Immediate Return of Missing Person Should a missing person return during the initial recording process, the officer will complete the form CID94 missing and found report, obtain a photograph or email a digital photo to the OIC or [email protected] When a missing report is added to COMPACT an automatic notification is sent to PNC for a missing report to be created. In cases of immediate return the officer should commence the entry in the ‘Full Circumstances’ field with the wording “No PNC required, subject already found”. The officer must follow this with a found report. The entry within the ‘Full Debrief’ field should commence with words “Subject not circulated on PNC”. 3.12 Command Team Reviews All missing person incidents will be reviewed by a Command Team member within 24 hours of the initial report. It is the responsibility of the officer adding the missing report to create the Command Team Review on COMPACT. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 8 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 3.12.1 All Risks Reviews will be completed by an LPA Command Team member: Command Team review times are timed from the date and time of the initial report to the police and not from the time of the previous review. Within 24 hours of the initial report; A further review within 48 hours of the initial report; Continued reviews should be timed as appropriate to the individual investigation and the associated risk. Assistance can be requested from SCD. The National Crime Agency (NCA) will assist with reviews in relation to High Risk incidents if required. MPPRO HQ will assist in facilitating this request. 3.12.2 Reviews - Missing Persons found Deceased The primary aim for completing such reviews is to identify any relevant organisational learning. The review will be reported to the Head of PPU Command and the relevant recommendations adjudicated upon and progressed. Where such reviews highlight any disciplinary or conduct matters, this will be subject of a report to PSD as will death following police contact: Missing Persons Performance & Review Officer (MPPRO) – PPU HQ; Internal Serious Case Review Team; PSD – IPCC. 3.12.3 Conclusion of the Investigation - Inactive Reports Where all current lines of enquiry have been concluded and provided there are no suspicious circumstances, the Command Team Reviewing Officer may show the record ‘inactive’ on COMPACT pending re-activation following new information. Where there are suspicious circumstances the decision to make inactive will be made by the SIO. The designated Missing Person SPOC’s are responsible for monitoring the Inactive Missing Persons on COMPACT and will ensure the relevant Command Teams are aware of an impending review to be completed. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 9 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 3.13 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Closing Incidents for Persons not Seen Incidents where the missing person has been located or their whereabouts are known, but it is impractical or impossible to see them, the investigation can be closed with the authority of a Chief Inspector. This includes persons who are deliberately avoiding police, have gone abroad and there is no evidence to support a crime or that anything untoward has happened to them. The investigation is closed by adding a found report on COMPACT with the details included in the ‘de-brief’ section. Details of missing persons believed to be illegal immigrants/overstayers who are deliberately avoiding police should be passed to the Border Agency and the police investigation can then be closed. Under 18’s will remain as police missing persons. 3.14 Closure of a Missing Person Report When a missing person is located, the relevant Inspector will ensure: All reviews are completed; Any relevant circulations have been cancelled; All relevant documentation including form CID94 and search logs are collated and stored with the relevant LPA; COMPACT is updated and endorsed with the location of the documentation. 3.15 Missing Children (under 18 yrs) Children who go missing from Home and Care are managed by Essex Police in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Protocol and OFSTED. Link to OFSTED -- Joint Protocol for Disclosing Details on their register of Children’s Homes with Local Authorities. 3.16 Child Abduction Warning Notices (CAWN) CAWN can be valuable in assisting the safeguarding of vulnerable young people and provide supportive evidence for criminal or other proceedings. These Warning Notices are useful in disrupting the criminal activity of adults who are associating with young people against the wishes of the parents or local authority carers. The Notices can be used where arrest or prosecution for any substantive offences is not available or is not appropriate at that time. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 10 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 There are two notices: Section 2 Child Abduction Act 1984 is for a child under 16; Section 49 Children Act 1989 is for a child under 18 who is in the care of a Local Authority. Both notices together with guidance notes on completion can be found within Form CID96. The notice identifies the child or young person and confirms that the suspect has no permission to associate with or to contact or communicate with the child, and that if they continues to do so, they may be liable to arrest and prosecution for one of the offences outlined above. 3.17 Issuing the Warning Notice A warning notice should be viewed as a safeguarding measure for the child concerned as well as a proactive case building initiative. Furthermore, they can be used as evidence when making other applications to the court such as: Sexual Offender Prevention Order [SOPO] – Sec 104 Sexual Offences Act 2003; Risk of Sexual Harm Order [ROSHO] – Sec 123 Sexual Offences Act 2003. A Detective Inspector may authorise the issuing of a Child Abduction Warning Notice where a child under the age of 16 years (or 18yrs if in Local Authority Care): Is reported missing and found on 2 or more occasions to be in the company of a suspect; There are reports to indicate the subjects (misper) behaviour and association with a suspect is giving significant cause for concern? The Detective Inspector will ensure that an entry is placed on COMPACT and that the following checks have been made: PNC; Intelligence; Notify the Public Protection administrator who will check the sex offenders register / MAPPA / Violent Offenders. A CAWN can be issued on the first missing occasion provided the Detective Inspector considers that it is proportionate and appropriate to do so. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 11 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 A statement will be taken from the person responsible for lawful care of the child to include: Clarification of parental responsibility, child’s name, age and date of birth; The fact that the restrictions and wishes of the parent or carer have been made clear to the child; The concerns the parent or carer has for the child arising from the association; The provision of a recent good quality photograph which should be exhibited within the statement; Permission for the photograph to be shown to the suspect at the time the warning is delivered. 3.18 Serving the Warning Notice Notices will be prepared using Form CID 97. The exact wording contained within the notice must be read to the suspect. A photograph to be shown to the suspect clearly identifying the young person to whom the notice refers. The suspect should only be supplied with a copy of the notice and requested to sign the officer’s copy. If the suspect refuses to sign, the officer will endorse the notice. IMPORTANT CAWN’s must be recorded as a non-crime on CrimeFile and the number placed on COMPACT. 4.0 Equality Impact Assessment An EIA has been completed for this document. 5.0 Risk Assessment Risks identified as having a bearing upon the safety of the person reported missing are dealt with at 3.2. 6.0 Consultation Unison / Federation Health & Safety / Diversity 7.0 Monitoring and Review The Head of the Public Protection Unit will be responsible for reviewing this procedure every 12 months to ensure that continues to be fit for purpose and it remains consistent with national guidance. NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 12 of 13 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED PROCEDURE – Missing Persons Number: B 1601 Date Published: 9 April 2014 Protecting Vulnerable People Inspector (Safeguarding) will conduct 12 monthly reviews. 8.0 Governing Force policy. Related Force policies or related procedures B 1600 Policy - Missing Persons B 1200 Policy - Child Abuse Investigations D 0400 Policy - Critical Incidents B 1203 Procedure - Child Abduction D 0401 Procedure – Dealing with Critical Incidents 9.0 Other source documents, e.g. Legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Force forms, partnership agreements (if applicable) Local Safeguarding Children’s Protocol; Statutory Guidance on Children who run away or go missing from Home or Care Jan 2014 ACPO Family Liaison Guidance 2008; Guidance Child Abduction Warning Notices; Mental Health/Learning Disabilities Protocol; 2010 ACPO Guidance on Management, Recording & Investigation of Missing Persons; Grampian Document; LSCB Protocol agreement. Joint Protocol; HMCI disclosing details on their register of children’s homes with local authorities, the police, the office of the children’s commissioner and the Secretary of State for Education NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page 13 of 13