Police Scotland’s response in finding missing people is “robust and effective” with the force successfully tracing 99% of people alive in the last four years, a watchdog has said.
Scotland’s national police service was so effective, a report found, that forces from across the world want to learn how they do it.
The report, by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), said Police Scotland conducted 16,236 missing person investigations between April 2023 and April this year 24.
Figures in the report, show that over the last four years, of all people who went missing – of which 60% were aged under 18 – more than 99% were traced alive.
More than half (58%) of such incidents were resolved within 24 hours, and 94% in 48 hours.
HMICS said police forces around the world have adopted Police Scotland’s approach to tracing missing persons due to its effectiveness.
But it said missing person investigations place a significant demand on policing in Scotland, with the equivalent of 900 full-time officers dedicated to such inquiries each year.
HM assistant inspector of constabulary in Scotland, Mark Hargreaves, said: “Police Scotland has demonstrated consistent success in resolving missing person incidents and locating people as swiftly as possible.
“However, the impact on families in the relatively small number of situations where a person is not found, or tragically is found dead, can be devastating.
“We have highlighted where improvements can be made in the operational response when someone is reported missing.
“More too needs to be done to ensure that clear leadership and strategic direction is in place.”
The HMICS report notes there are many complex reasons why a person may go missing, including mental health issues or dementia.
Inspectors praised the “very high standard” of response given by police staff who initially receive missing person calls.
They said the operational response from local policing divisions was also “very good”, with officers “highly committed to locate and return people who have been reported missing as quickly as possible”.
The report praised the work of Police Scotland’s National Missing Persons Unit, which provides investigative advice, oversight and support.
But inspectors noted this dedicated unit has limited staffing and resources, and they found “gaps at a national level” when it came to leadership, governance and oversight of missing person investigations.
The inspectorate said the national missing persons application computer program does not work effectively on mobile phones used by police, leading to some officers travelling to and from police stations to record information – which it said is not a good use of their time.
Police Scotland’s operational support division, which includes dogs, drones and helicopters, was also praised by HMICS.
The report welcomed guidelines developed by Police Scotland with the Scottish Government which set out expectations and commitments for a multi-agency response when someone goes missing in Scotland.
Inspectors said the principles of the national missing persons framework for Scotland are supported by research and evidence of what works; that it is a particular strength in Scotland, adding that no similar framework is in place in other parts of the UK.
However, inspectors found too few officers and staff within Police Scotland know of its existence, and said more needs to be done to promote the framework’s aims and commitments.
The report said out of all the people who went missing in the 2023/24 financial year, almost a quarter will go missing more than once, sometimes multiple times.
Mr Hargreaves said: “The issue of some people being reported missing repeatedly presents a considerable challenge to police and partners – as the response to missing persons is not solely a police matter.
“The contribution of partner organisations, including local authorities, health services and third sector partners is critical to achieving positive outcomes for missing people.
“We have found that while some areas can demonstrate effective partnership working that has resulted in better preventative approaches and a reduction in missing person incidents, this needs to be more consistent across the country.”
The HMICS report made 11 recommendations for improvement, including better ongoing training for operational officers and supervisors, and that all guidance relating to missing people be brought together on the Police Scotland intranet.
It also lists a further six areas for development.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have been asked for comment.
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