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Missing Persons Contents

Policy statement ...... 2 Principles ...... 2 Responsibilities all missing persons cases ...... 6 Communications staff / report taker ...... 6 District control room staff (DCRs) ...... 8 Attending officer ...... 9 Duty or response sergeant ...... 10 Hub Commander / duty Inspector ...... 11 Missing person co-ordinator ...... 14 Dedicated missing person investigator ...... 15 Safeguarding Detective Inspectors ...... 16 District Commander / duty district Operational Commander / PACE officer ...... 17 Protective Services Crime Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) ...... 17 District Detective Inspector (DI) ...... 18 District Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) ...... 18 Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) or Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) ...... 19 Notifications and circulations ...... 19 Person returns or is located before officer despatched to take report ...... 20 Person is found before Misper 1 report completed ...... 22 Missing person is located ...... 23 Prevention checks ...... 23 Mental health patient ...... 24 Young person in local authority care ...... 25 Filing missing person reports ...... 25 Long term missing persons ...... 27 Persistent missing persons ...... 27 Philomena Protocol ...... 29 Herbert Protocol ...... 30 Ellam Protocol ...... 31 Other protocols ...... 31 Transferring ownership of the report between districts / forces ...... 32 Requesting enquiries in another district ...... 33 Breach of Bail Hostel Curfew ...... 34 Hospital Absconder Policy ...... 34 Truancy ...... 37 Partnership Procedures ...... 37 Additional Information ...... 38

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Policy statement

Summary West Yorkshire Police is committed to effectively and efficiently safeguarding the public and in order to do so must correctly assess risk to differentiate between people who are at genuine risk of harm and those who are not and conduct high quality investigations in line with the risk to the person.

This policy details how the Force will respond to reports of missing persons including cases where the person is at no apparent risk (absent).

Scope This policy applies to all police officers and police staff.

Principles

Definitions West Yorkshire Police use these definitions:

Definition of ‘missing’ ‘No apparent risk (absent)’ is included in the definition of ‘missing.’ References to missing people includes individuals who are defined as ‘No apparent risk (absent).’

Missing: “Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established will be considered as missing until located and their wellbeing or otherwise confirmed.” or No apparent risk (absent): “There is no apparent risk of harm to either the subject or the public.”

No apparent risk (absent) cases should not be ignored and must be monitored over time and consideration given to escalating it if there is a change to the circumstances that has increased the level of risk.

Risk All reports of missing people sit within a continuum of risk (see below) from no apparent risk (absent) to high-risk cases that require immediate, intensive action.

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• If high risk, i.e. the risk of serious harm to the subject or the public is assessed as very likely – potential critical incident). • If medium risk, i.e. the risk of harm to the subject or the public is assessed as likely but not serious. • If low risk, i.e. the risk of harm to the subject or the public is assessed as possible but minimal. • If ‘no apparent risk (absent), i.e. there is no apparent risk of harm to either the subject or the public.

Risk The risk assessment and categorisation of a report or review must be based assessments on in the National Decision Model.

The grading of an incident should be based on the THRIVE model. Call takers are empowered to make the decision on grading although it is anticipated that generally: • a high risk missing person would attract an immediate response (Code 690) • a medium risk would attract a priority response (Code 691), • a low risk a standard response (Code 692), and • for ‘no apparent risk – absent’ police deployment should not be necessary (Code 696), unless qualified with an appropriate comprehensive rationale to justify otherwise. In such cases the incident should be brought to the attention of the district hub commander/duty inspector to review the incident.

No apparent risk (absent) There is no apparent risk of In addition to recording the information on danger to either the subject PNC, actions to locate the subject and/or or the public. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 3 of 39 OFFICIAL

gather further information should be In considering whether a agreed with the reporting person. person is missing or no apparent risk (absent)’: Note: West Yorkshire Police will undertake • children who are at risk a set of minimum actions in all cases as of child sexual detailed under Responsibilities – Hub exploitation or abuse Commander / duty Inspector. (whether flagged or not); or A review time to reassess the risk must be • children or adults who set (at least every eight hours up to a are at greater risk due to maximum of 18 hours from the point of their vulnerability reporting). (consider protected characteristics, mental health, forced marriage, honour based violence, trafficking, female genital mutilation), should not be considered to be at ‘no apparent risk.’ Low risk – anticipated standard deployment The risk of harm to the Proportionate enquiries should be carried subject or the public is out to ensure that the individual has not assessed as possible but come to harm. minimal. Medium risk – anticipated priority deployment The risk of harm to the This category requires an active and subject or the public is measured response by the police and other assessed as likely but not agencies. serious. High risk – anticipated immediate deployment The risk of serious harm to Treat as a critical incident. This category the subject or the public is almost always requires the immediate assessed as very likely. deployment of police resources – action may be delayed in exceptional circumstances, such as searching water or forested areas during hours of darkness. A member of the senior management team must be involved in the examination of initial lines of enquiry and approval of appropriate staffing levels. Such cases should lead to the appointment of an investigating officer (IO) and possibly an SIO and a police search adviser (PolSA).

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There should be a press/media strategy and/or close contact with outside agencies. Family support should be put in place where appropriate. The Missing Person Unit (MPU) and National Crime Agency (NCA) should be notified of the case without undue delay. Children’s services must also be notified immediately if the person is under 18. Risk of serious harm has been defined as (Home Office 2002 and OASys 2006): ‘A risk which is life threatening and/or traumatic, and from which recovery, whether physical or psychological, can be expected to be difficult or impossible.’

Increased risk to Children are particularly vulnerable to suffering harm while missing and children missing incidents are recognised as a significant indicator that a child is at risk of being sexually or criminally exploited. Staff should consider vulnerability when risk assessing initial reports and making deployment decisions.

Flagging that a child is at risk of CSE or CCE must be given particular weight. When conducting prevention checks with children, staff must use all sources of information to determine why a child went missing and take proactive steps to prevent repeat incidents including making appropriate referrals to other agencies. They must be alert to warning indicators that the child may be suffering abuse and regard prevention checks as a key opportunity to ensure that necessary child protection interventions take place.

Force West Yorkshire Police is committed to the management, recording and undertaking investigation of missing persons in line with the Code of Ethics and the Public Sector Equality Duty. (Under the general equality duty ‘public authorities’ must eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act).

Employee West Yorkshire Police staff must handle the management, recording and undertaking investigation of missing persons in line with the Code of Ethics and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

To effectively safeguard people who go missing, it is vital that staff understand risk factors, assess the individual circumstances and document the rationale for any decisions made. In particular, in considering the level of risk for a person staff must take into account: • The vulnerability of a person, e.g. a child or vulnerable adult. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 5 of 39 OFFICIAL

• Any increased risk or vulnerability based on protected characteristics: o Age o Race o Transgender o Disability o Sex (gender) o Pregnancy and maternity o Sexual orientation o Religion or belief o Marriage or Civil Partnership • Any unconscious bias, e.g. when considering the risk of child sexual exploitation this should not be affected by the gender of the missing person. • The ability / inability of a missing person to safeguard themselves. • The fact that a vulnerable child or adult has a history of going missing, including in circumstances of no apparent risk (absent) and returning does not mitigate the risk to the missing person on subsequent occasions. • Terminology such as ‘street wise’ must not be used as it is misleading and often misinterpreted that a missing person is able to identify risk and take action to safeguard themselves.

Responsibilities all missing persons cases

Important The force or district that receives the initial missing person report must record the fact that a report has been received in line with this policy. The reporting person must not be told to contact another force or to wait until they get home and report the missing person to their local police station. This is regardless of where the reporting person resides.

Communications staff / report taker

Responsibility Communications staff or report takers are responsible for: • Creating an incident log and obtaining relevant information as follows: o Name, aliases and gender of the missing person. (ensure correct spelling is provided) o Date of birth and age. o Description of person and the clothing they were wearing. o Home address and location missing from. o Has a Herbert Protocol Missing Person Form already completed? Can it be emailed to the district control room (DCR)? The Herbert Protocol encourages family and friends to complete and retain a form recording all vital details such as medication required, mobile ‘phone numbers, OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 6 of 39 OFFICIAL

places previously located, a photograph etc. In the event when a resident does go missing the form can be immediately handed to a police officer (and if possible emailed to DCR) to ensure a speedy police response. o Circumstances of going missing: − When were they last seen and who was the last person to see them? − Is this out of character, i.e. have they been missing before, if so, how often? o Any signs of pre-planning: − Have they taken any money, bank cards, passport, driving licence, clothing? − Did they tell anyone they intended to leave or leave a letter or note? o Do they have any illnesses or take any medication, if so, when was it last taken / when is it due again? o Are there any issues with alcohol/drug misuse? o Any mobile ‘phone number: − Have they taken their mobile phone? − Has any contact been made or has it been turned off? − Has a text message been sent a message or a voicemail left on the answer machine? o Does the missing person use social media, if so, which social media sites are used? o Details of any vehicle they have access to or other transport used. o Locations where the person may have gone: − Which places do they normally frequent? − Where were they found previously? o Details of any friends and associates they may be with and are there any contacts that the reporting person is concerned about? o What has been done so far to trace the missing person? o For missing children please obtain the following additional information: − Has there been an increase in the child’s phone use? − Has the child received unexplained cash or other items? − Has the character or mood of the child changed recently? − Has the child come to the attention of police recently? o Name, address and ‘phone number of the reporting person and their relationship to the missing person. • asking questions to establish the level of risk: o high; o medium; o low; or o no apparent risk (absent), • grading the response and forward the incident log to the respective DCR.

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Return Misper • STORM now includes a new opening and disposal code of 101 RETURNED process MISPER FOLLOW UP LOG. • This code should only be used when the initial log reporting a Misper has been closed and the ongoing enquiries are being tasked via Niche. If the initial log is still open when a call is received, advising that the Misper has returned home etc. the update should be placed on the original incident and transferred to the relevant District. • The call taker should apply NDM and THRIVE to assess the appropriate grade for any incident opened with a new 101 code. When the call is transferred to the relevant District, they can reassess the grading based on any additional information or local knowledge that may be relevant or available to them. • Any logs opened as a 101 RETURNED MISPER FOLLOW UP LOG should be closed with a 101 disposal code and not use a high, medium or low Misper code.

District control room staff (DCRs)

Responsibility District control room staff are responsible for: • Immediately notifying the district Hub Commander or duty Inspector. • Inspector is responsible for grading the missing incident providing a documented rationale on the log for that decision. • The DCR operator will then push the occurrence to niche, which includes high/medium/low/No apparent risks which will create an automated task to the PNC Bureau. • If the Hub Commander directs, deploying a police officer. Only a police supervisor can authorise a change to the recommended response above and this should only be done in exceptional circumstances where the: o reasons for that decision are recorded on the incident log; and o the Hub Commander/Duty Inspector must be informed; • if there is no available resource to attend within the appropriate response time record on the log why no resources are available: o seek the assistance of a control room supervisor, resource sergeant or response supervisor to identify a resource must be sought; and o inform the Hub Commander/duty Inspector; • Broadcasting the description over the radio and notify CCTV if appropriate. • Where the report is taken about a vulnerable adult, e.g. a person with dementia, notifying the attending officer if the home has completed a Missing Person Incident Form (via Storm flag). • Finalising the incident log so that it reflects the risk level at which the incident has been dealt (which may differ to the original code).

A guide on call management can be accessed.

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Attending officer

Responsibility Attending officers are responsible for: • Determining that the incident is a missing person report and obtaining as much information as possible to help locate the individual. This aide memoire provides a useful checklist. • Checking for any flags, reporting strategies, or trigger plans. • Determining whether the Misper is at risk of sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage, honour based violence or female genital mutilation and, if so, obtaining full details to establish if an immediate investigation is required. • Making all necessary enquiries at the scene to locate the missing person as quickly as possible including any actions detailed in the reporting strategies or trigger plans. • Obtaining details of any vehicles that the person may have access to and request markers on relevant vehicles on the PNC without delay. • Considering the benefits of requesting that the Missing People charity send a ‘TextSafe’ message to the missing person’s mobile telephone. • Making a thorough search of the missing person’s home and other relevant locations, e.g. where the missing person has been reported missing from a hospital. NB It is the responsibility of organisations, e.g. hospitals to conduct searches of their premises, before making a report to the police, in order to confirm that the individual is in fact missing. Once officers are in attendance, all subsequent investigations are their responsibility and this includes confirming that the individual is in fact missing by making a thorough search of the location(s) which is equal to the risk level identified. Do not accept people’s claims that they have searched a particular premises/location and the person is not there. • Being aware of the risks posed to themselves by missing persons who have committed chemical suicide. • Ensuring during searches of premises that they also search for items which will assist in subsequent enquiries to locate the missing person or inform the risk assessment, e.g. suicide notes, diaries, banking details, ‘phones and laptops. • If officers are unable to complete a sufficient search, either because of the area to be searched, e.g. the grounds of a hospital, or access issues, e.g. a loft area, liaising with the duty Inspector who will decide whether to deploy additional or specialist resources, e.g. a POLSA. • Complete a Missing Person Incident Form (Misper 1) on their handheld device, attach the latest available photograph/digital image of the misper. Note: there should be one misper occurrence created per misper. If the misper is with other mispers for example, 3 children missing together, the occurences should be linked. Never use misper accompanied. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 9 of 39 OFFICIAL

• When they are found, the “Located” link should be added as a link for that person. “Found” occurrences should NEVER be recorded. • Making the reporting person and other significant individuals aware of who to contact if they require an update from the police and establishing the frequency of that contact which will be on at least a daily basis in the initial stages of an enquiry until agreed otherwise and reassuring them that they will be notified of significant developments as soon as possible. • Officers must not manually create a missing person occurrence but deal with the report on the occurrence created by the Storm to Niche interface. Information on updating Niche can be accessed. • Misper 1 and Misper 7 submissions to Niche must be done via the mobile data device.

Duty or response sergeant

Responsibility Duty or response sergeants are responsible for: • Being aware of any new missing person’s reports that are received. • Monitoring the deployment of attending officers and ensuring that: o they are deployed in accordance with the assessment of risk; and o enquiries are made to establish if there is a trigger plan or Missing Person Incident (Herbert Protocol) Form. • Liaising with attending officers at an early stage to ensure all necessary initial enquiries have been identified and actioned in a timely manner. • Confirming that any initial searches have been completed and identifying if additional resources are needed to complete a thorough search commensurate with the level of risk. • In appropriate cases, attending the scene and directing initial enquiries in person. • Monitoring the progress of identified actions, initiating fresh ones as necessary. • Ensuring that active reports are allocated to specific staff with detailed enquires identified for them to complete. • Liaising with and updating the Hub Commander on the circumstances of the report, the risk level identified, resources deployed and initial lines of enquiry initiated. • Where a special operations room (SOR) is in use, ensuring they carry out additional responsibilities as listed below. • Liaising with the Safeguarding Unit (SGU) missing from home co- ordinators to monitor and co-ordinate with ongoing SGU enquires. • Monitoring the report to ensure that relevant parties, e.g. family or reporting person, have been updated with the current position of enquires on a daily basis, unless agreed otherwise. • Briefing on-coming sergeants about the current status of active missing person reports and current position re enquiries. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 10 of 39 OFFICIAL

Hub Commander / duty Inspector

On being Hub Commanders and duty Inspectors are responsible for: informed • Checking and confirming or changing the call taker's initial risk assessment and grading. • Recording their rationale for the grading. • For children and adults in care, information from multi-agency safeguarding partners should be sought in order to inform the risk assessment and ongoing activity. • Carefully note the meaning of high, medium and low risk and no apparent risk (absent) above when assessing risk of harm cognisant of: o the missing person’s vulnerability; o any unconscious bias; o protected characteristics; and o the ability / inability of a missing person to safeguard themselves. Children are by the fact of being children vulnerable and the rationale supporting an assessment of low risk (no immediate concern for welfare) or no apparent risk (absent) must be fully recorded on the incident log. Any child who has been identified and flagged as currently at risk of CSE/CCE should be considered as at least medium risk unless there are exceptional circumstances which can be detailed on the log and there should be a presumption of deployment in these cases. • In determining the initial risk assessment ensure that DCR staff research Corvus, Niche and PNC and provide them with details of: a. any warning flags (e.g. at risk of CSE/self-harms/ suicidal/ailment etc.); b. the number of previous missing incidents and risk assessments. NB in the case of a child an increasing number of incidents is likely to indicate an escalating risk and the fact that the child has hitherto returned safely should not serve to reduce the level of risk identified; c. relevant intelligence which may indicate the person is at risk of harm from self or others (including any reports or intelligence linked to trafficking, forced marriage, honour based violence or female genital mutilation); d. details of any risk assessments contained on CSE risk management or Problem Solving occurrences. (a trigger plan will provide an up to date list of potential fast track actions); and e. in the case of a child whether previous harbourers have been issued or the child is linked to a sexual or other dangerous offender. • DCR Operator will push the incident to Niche which will create an automatic task to the PNC Bureau.

If high risk: Hub Commanders and duty Inspectors are responsible for: OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 11 of 39 OFFICIAL

• Ensuring that officers are immediately despatched to meet and speak with the reporting person. • Dealing with as a critical incident. There is no requirement to notify district Operational Commander(DOC)/PACE cover or a Detective Inspector until an officer has attended to confirm the circumstances and risk. • In all cases, ensuring that there is effective and intrusive supervision of attending officers. E.g. where appropriate this may include deploying a Sergeant to the scene to co-ordinate initial enquiries and searches. • Ensuring that sufficient resources are made available: o in order to start immediate house/ground searches; and o for other fast track investigative lines of enquiry. • Once a high risk missing person is confirmed, immediately informing the duty Detective Inspector and District Operational Commander(DOC)/PACE cover; • Co-ordinating and record all police activity. The setting up of a Special Operations Room (SOR) is seen as good practice. • If the missing person is aged under 18, notifying local children’s services immediately. • Following the Force protocol for requests for initial media releases of high risk missing persons. The decision as to whether to request a media release should be carefully considered and documented and specifically address whether this would reduce or increase the risk of harm to the missing person. The rationale for the decision as to whether to request a media release should be documented. • Ensuring that BTP are notified if: o BTP has placed a suicide related information marker on the PNC; o there is a risk of suicide (particularly if the missing person resides, frequents or was last seen within the vicinity of a railway line); or o there is specific information that the missing person is likely to visit or use the railway system.

If no apparent Hub commanders and duty Inspectors are responsible for: risk (absent) • Determining if the person is in custody. • The DCR Operator will push the incident to Niche which will send an automatic task to the PNC Bureau. • Initiating other actions as required, e.g.: o Broadcasting the description over the police radio; o Notifying CCTV; • Agreeing will the caller what minimum actions should be undertaken and by whom (the police may provide valuable assistance in guiding the reporting person’s activities to trace the person. It is important to assure the person that the police care about the person and that updates on progress are expected). • Agreeing with the caller when further contact will be made and updates given. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 12 of 39 OFFICIAL

• Recording their rationale for identifying the person as no apparent risk (absent) as opposed to higher on the continuum of risk. • Deciding and recording when the incident should be reviewed next. Deployment must be reviewed at least every eight hours. • In the light of new information as it is received, deploying a police officer as soon as there is any significant concern for the person’s welfare, or the safety of others, and in any case where the person is not located within 18 hours from the point of being reported to the police.

NB You must never take demands on police resources into consideration when deciding whether to delay attending the log.

For the purpose of no apparent risk (absent) review timescales, these start at the point of the report to the police. NB If the person has not been seen for a significant period before being reported then no apparent risk (absent) is unlikely to be a suitable grading.

Risk Hub Commanders, duty Inspectors and safeguarding detective inspectors assessments (DIs) are responsible for the risk assessments, reviews and supervisory and reviews oversight of the management, recording and investigation of missing persons supported by missing person investigators.

The assessment of risk should be regularly reviewed at every point of handover such as the beginning and end of each shift. This should be documented on the Niche OEL or in the case of no apparent risk (absent) on the Storm incident log.

Hub Every 24 hours: commander • reassessing the risk level and documenting a rationale for that decision; reviews • checking that enquiries have been completed satisfactorily; • deciding what further enquiries need to be done; • ensuring the enquiries are allocated to a specific officer; • considering whether to inform the district DI; • ensuring the reporting or other relevant person has been updated with the current position at least daily and any significant developments unless agreed otherwise with them; and • ensuring that the occurrence is updated and a review form is completed on Niche.

Special Duty DIs, Hub Commanders and duty/response sergeants must: Operations • ensure that, through the deployment of a dedicated researcher, Room despatcher and loggist, all lines of enquiry are: responsibility o identified;

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o tasked out; and o recorded; • co-ordinate searches, ensuring that they: o consult a POLSA trained officer; and o use appropriate Protective Services - Operations staff; • ensure appropriate circulations are made via PNC and to surrounding districts and forces; and • ensure all relevant agencies, that may assist in locating the missing person, are identified and contacted.

Missing person co-ordinator

Responsibility District missing person co-ordinators are responsible for: • Assisting the district in assessing and identifying high risk missing person reports at the earliest opportunity and monitor all district missing reports to identify potential threat, risk and harm and initiate appropriate partnership interventions to mitigate and reduce the risk and prevent repeat reports. • Establishing and maintaining appropriate contacts with partner agencies, attending regular ‘missing problem solving meetings’, developing a partnership problem solving approach to reduce the likelihood of regular, long term and particularly vulnerable missing persons going missing again and reducing the risk to such individuals should they do so. Where there is concern for an individual’s welfare, considering whether to trigger a multi- agency meeting see APP Major investigation and public protection/Missing persons/Strategic responsibilities 1.4 Prevention and Intervention Strategies. • Where it is assessed that the individual is at risk of going missing again, ensuring that information gathered is used to create a plan outlining key actions to be taken if the person is subsequently reported missing. • Where the individual repeatedly goes missing, create a missing problem solving occurrence and trigger plan in line with attached guidance. • Ensuring that the Herbert Protocol is offered for those at risk of becoming a repeat missing person so that, should they do so, the Force and partner agencies have the optimum amount of information readily available to secure an early and safe location of the missing person. • If the missing person is aged under 18, notifying children’s services if this has not already been done. • Ensuring referrals to social care are completed in line with APP thresholds: o the individual is a ‘repeat missing person’(reported as missing three times in a rolling 90 day period); o the individual has experienced or is likely to experience significant harm; or o for children, the parent or carer appears unable or unwilling to work to support and meet the needs of a child that has gone missing.

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• Supporting staff dealing with missing person investigations by offering advice and guidance on all aspects of the investigation to ensure an early and safe location of the individual missing. • Developing procedures and processes to ensure the district effectively manages missing person investigations. Identifying and addressing the training needs of personnel in relation to missing person investigations and ensuring relevant training is made available to all relevant staff. • Gathering, collating and ensuring that all intelligence gathered during the course of an investigation is recorded on Niche and analysed and that investigations are initiated into those who harbour and encourage children, young people, vulnerable adults and mental health patients to go missing. • Ensuring that reviews of investigations are flagged for completion in accordance with Force Policy schedules, including those that have been filed without the individual being found, for completion by the district DCI. • Managing the process for PNC locate/information reports for persistent missing persons. • Ensuring local information sharing protocols are in place and complied with. Ensure effective prevention checks are shared with partners to develop a deeper understanding of relevant issues so that the individual can be safeguarded and repeat incidents minimised. • Ensuring that the correct Storm closing codes and occurrence types have been used to reflect how the investigation has been conducted and concluded.

Dedicated missing person investigator

Responsibility Dedicated missing person investigators are responsible for: • Researching and interrogating the full range of police IT systems and social media ensuring all relevant information is available to inform missing person investigations. • Ensuring missing persons investigations are informed by existing reporting strategies and trigger plans; • Undertaking enquiries set by the relevant inspector (Hub Commander/duty Inspector/safeguarding inspector/PWA inspector) ensuring all actions are expedited in a thorough and timely manner and that all relevant information and intelligence is obtained to assist in the location of missing persons. • Initiating telecoms/computer enquiries as required through Charter, ensuring that any information pertinent to the location of missing person is obtained at the earliest opportunity. • Initiating and expediting enquiries with external agencies including banks, CCTV, Interpol, Immigration, foreign embassies ensuring that any information pertinent to the location of Missing Person is obtained at the earliest opportunity. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 15 of 39 OFFICIAL

• Undertaking and completing prevention checks with missing persons that have been located as directed by relevant Inspector to seek to establish why the individual went missing; what they did; where any offences committed against or by the missing person; where they went; a photograph of the person; and what action now needs to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence. • Identifying any criminal offences that may have been committed during the time a person has been missing to maximise the safeguarding of vulnerable people through harbouring and human traffic legislation, ensuring harbourers warnings are served on perpetrators of offences where appropriate. • Initiating and completing partnership referrals as appropriate to ensure that individuals are signposted and referred to relevant agencies for their future safeguarding. • Ensuring that all relevant information/intelligence gathered through the course of a missing person investigation is recorded on an intelligence report as appropriate. • Supporting the District Missing Person Co-ordinator in problem solving of repeat locations/subjects to reduce the likelihood of people going missing.

Note: Risk assessments, reviews and supervisory oversight of the management, recording and investigation of missing persons are the responsibility of the relevant Inspector (Hub Commander/duty Inspector/ safeguarding inspector).

Missing person investigators have a role in supporting Inspectors in these functions through providing information, intelligence and research but should not undertake risk assessments or reviews.

Safeguarding Detective Inspectors

Responsibility Safeguarding DIs are responsible for: • Maintaining an overview of missing persons and ensuring that intervention opportunities and problem solving are addressed at the earliest opportunity. • Ensuring this policy is complied with in the district. • Supporting and advising the district missing person co-ordinator to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities. • Ensuring that effective joint interagency working arrangements are in place to protect missing children from harm and that police contribute to these processes. • Ensuring regular ‘missing problem solving meetings’ are held with partners to maximise opportunities for early intervention in order to minimise risks for: OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 16 of 39 OFFICIAL

o vulnerable people who go missing; o persistent missing persons; and o the top ten short and long term missing persons. • Ensuring crime prevention work is undertaken, where appropriate, around repeat locations using the skills of specialist officers. • Identifying deficiencies in this policy and giving feedback to the Force missing person co-ordinator.

Risk Safeguarding DIs are responsible for the risk assessments, reviews and assessments supervisory oversight of the management, recording and investigation of and reviews missing persons supported by missing person investigators.

District Commander / duty district Operational Commander / PACE officer

Responsibility District Commanders, duty district Operational Commander and PACE officers are responsible for: • Risk assessing and reviewing every report of a missing person (including cases of no apparent risk (absent) daily, during the morning meeting. • Ensuring all missing reports are attended no later than 18 hours after the initial receipt; • Providing and effectively deploying sufficient resources and ensuring there is clear ownership of actions. • Effectively supervising and managing investigations. • Releasing staff to attend relevant training to enable them to accomplish these tasks.

Protective Services Crime Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)

Responsibility SIOs are responsible for: • Reviewing all referred missing person investigations. • Deciding whether to take responsibility for managing and supervising referred investigations. • Supporting and advising districts if you decide not to accept responsibility for managing and supervising the investigation. • Ensuring that high risk investigations have direction and focus and all relevant lines of enquiry are identified and actioned as quickly as possible. • Ensuring that all appropriate Force resources are made available to the investigation and using the services of other specialist agencies and resources when and where appropriate.

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• Directing any media circulations. • Reviewing cases where districts have requested advice in considering whether a case should be filed under the option all reasonable enquiries complete. • Recommending what enquiries ought to be conducted before finalising under the option all reasonable enquiries complete.

An SIO can amend the review timetable, if appropriate – see DCI supervisory reviews below.

District Detective Inspector (DI)

Supervisory DIs, within 48 hours from the report of a missing person and then every reviews seven days, must: • review the risk assessment on behalf of the SIO; • ensure that the investigation is being conducted diligently; • consider if CID should be involved in the investigation and whether to inform an SIO; • maintain contact with the reporting or other relevant person as agreed, keeping them updated with the current situation and any relevant developments, and endorse the occurrence accordingly; and • ensure a review form is completed on Niche.

Responsibility Duty DIs must: • take command of the investigation, and ensure resources are identified to staff and manage the Special Operations Room (SOR); • ensure that all relevant lines of enquiry are identified and actioned as soon as possible; • continuously monitor the risk posed and the potential involvement of others; • immediately make the duty PACE officer aware and, if relevant, the district SIO or Protective Services - Crime; • ensure that all lines of enquiry are accurately recorded; and • maintain the continuity of the investigation until the missing person is located.

District Detective Chief Inspector (DCI)

Supervisory DCIs (after seven days from the report of a missing person; then every reviews month for the first three months; then after six months; then after twelve months; and annually thereafter) must: OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 18 of 39 OFFICIAL

• reconsider the risk assessment; • review the investigation on behalf of the district senior leadership team; • seek specialist advice from Protective Services Crime SIO if required; • decide the investigation strategy; • decide the appropriate level of resources to commit to the investigation based on what further enquiries are required; • ensure that ongoing contact with the reporting or other relevant person is taking place as agreed with them and the occurrence is endorsed; and • ensure a review form is completed on Niche.

For long-term cases, the DCI should contact an SIO if specialist advice and review of the case is needed.

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) or Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)

Amending A DCI or SIO can amend the review timetable, if appropriate, e.g. in: review • high risk cases it may be appropriate for a DI review to be conducted every timetable 24 hours; or • some long term cases where there are very few active enquiries and there is little change from day to day, it may be appropriate for the inspector's review to be conducted every seven days.

Any decision to amend the review timetable must be recorded in the policy log alongside the rationale for that decision and/or on the OEL.

Notifications and circulations

UK Missing If a missing person has not returned within 72 hours of the initial report to Persons Unit the police, case details must be submitted by the District Safeguarding Unit (UKMPU) to the MPU within the next twelve hours of all: • persons reported missing in the UK; • foreign nationals reported (via Interpol or by any other means) as missing in the UK; and • UK residents reported as missing abroad.

Where there is particular concern for the missing person, the case should be sent to the NCA Missing Person Unit immediately.

In such cases consideration should also be given contacting the MPU directly via telephone.

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In suspicious missing cases (e.g. potential missing/no-body murder cases), call the NCA Specialist Operations Centre (SOC) for crime-related investigative support.

Any significant case update for existing Unit submissions must be forwarded to the Unit within 48 hours.

Missing person cancellations must be submitted to the Unit within 24 hours of confirming the missing person’s return or location.

Notifications will be made by email.

All reports of missing children and young persons will be referred to local authority children’s services in accordance with local reporting arrangements.

All unidentified body/people reports must be sent to the MPU within 48 hours of discovery. This requirement is to help major crime investigations and bring closure to the families of missing people who are deceased. Cancellation of such reports must be submitted to the MPU within 24 hours of an identification being made.

Details of what the UKMPU can do to assist police investigations can be accessed.

Non- District missing person co-ordinators should notify the relevant non- governmental governmental agencies in accordance with the information sharing organisations agreements that are current at the time of the initial report.

Person returns or is located before officer despatched to take report

Log finalised Where a person who has been no apparent risk (absent) returns before an officer has been despatched to take are report, the following process will be followed:

Communications Communications staff will: staff • obtain the following information from the caller reporting the return of the missing person, record the answers on the Storm log and inform the Hub Commander: 1. What time did the person return home? 2. What addresses has the person visited while absent? 3. Who has the person been with? OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 20 of 39 OFFICIAL

4. Does the person have any injuries? 5. Have they been subject of crime or come to any harm? 6. Is there any further relevant information? • If the missing person has dementia, advise the caller about the Herbert Protocol guidance and form.

Hub The Hub Commander/duty Inspector will review the Storm log and consider commander / whether the person has been subject of a crime, exploitation or harm and in duty inspector such cases direct what action should be taken.

In all missing no apparent risk (absent) cases they will determine whether it is appropriate for a prevention check to be completed and provide a rationale if this course of action isn’t taken. (Note – finalisation as no apparent risk (absent) prior to deployment is only meant to be for very short term absence or a mistaken report).

Consideration should be given to the long term safeguarding of the missing person and whether a prevention check will assist in the gathering of intelligence, securing and preserving evidence and the subsequent ability to direct fast-time actions.

The Hub Commander/duty Inspector will update with the review template stating:

“I am satisfied the person has returned and I have considered the following:

1. Has the person been subject of a crime? Yes/No - what action taken 2. Has the person been subject to sexual exploitation or human trafficking? Yes/No - what action taken 3. Has the person been exposed to harm? Yes/No - what action taken 4. Is partnership involvement/ referral required? Yes/No - what action taken. (If Yes – ensure referral made to social care direct.)

An officer should / should not* attend to undertake a prevention check and complete a Misper 7. The rationale for this is….”

DCR operator The DCR operator will: • once the Hub Commander has updated the log with their final review, finalise the log as absent (code 696). This will automatically create a Niche occurrence and send a task to the missing person’s mailbox. • before closing the log, pass it to PNC to cancel the missing person report and endorse the log that this has been done.

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Safeguarding Safeguarding will review and update the Niche absent occurrences with: Unit (SGU) • occurrence between dates, first date and time when the person went missing, and date/time when they returned; • link the person as located; • link reporting person if details contained on log; • link address found at; • link any other involved persons e.g. person missing with/found with; and • link any other relevant addresses.

Person goes If a missing person who has returned goes missing again before the initial missing again Niche occurrence has been created an initial absent occurrence must be created in relation to the first instance and the second missing instance of absence: • recorded on Storm; • risk assessed; and • managed as a new missing incident.

Person is found before Misper 1 report completed

Introduction It may be appropriate, in order to minimise the risk of harm, to conduct immediate enquiries when attending a report of a missing person which will speedily locate them (for example an area search of the immediate vicinity) before full details of the missing person are recorded on a form Misper 1.

Where the reported person is located in these circumstances and before full details have been taken on a Misper 1 form, it is not necessary for the attending officer to complete the Misper 1 form.

However in these circumstances:

• a missing person occurrence must be completed with full details of the missing and reporting persons (DCR will have already pushed the incident to Niche); • the full circumstances of the incident must be detailed on the occurrence OEL; • a Misper 7 report must be completed and attached to the occurrence; • a copy of the incident log must be attached to the occurrence; and • if the missing person has dementia, advise the caller about the Herbert Protocol guidance and form. NB Such immediate enquiries must not be protracted and, in all circumstances where the missing person is not located quickly, a Misper 1 report must be filled out with the reporting person to ensure accurate

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details are obtained and submitted within four hours of the officer’s initial attendance at the scene.

Note: “Found” occurrences should NEVER be recorded; this is a defunct category for recording occurrences but still exists on Niche for the purposes of searching historic records.

Missing person is located

Procedure Where an officer has attended a report and recorded a Misper 1, the following describes the procedure once a missing person is located:

Initial call taker The initial call taker must: • create a new incident log to ensure the response is timed; • grade as immediate if the person is: o currently exposed to immediate risk or poses an immediate risk; or o vulnerable or dangerous and is about to leave now. • grade as priority if the person is vulnerable or dangerous and is likely to go missing again before police attend; • grade as standards if the person is not currently exposed to immediate risk or pose an immediate risk and not expected to go missing again before police attend.

Attending The attending officer must attend within 4 hours to conduct the prevention officer checks unless it is considered in the circumstances more appropriate to make a mutually convenient appointment.

However, any delay beyond four hours must be authorised by the Hub Commander or Missing Person Co-ordinator.

Prevention checks

Within four Where a Misper 1 report has been recorded and the police are informed that hours the missing person has been located, a police officer, PCSO or Investigating Officer (IO) must attend to conduct a prevention check (and complete a Misper 7) within four hours of their return unless the missing person: • returned or was found by the carer before initial police attendance; • is a mental health patient (see below); or

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• is in the care of the local authority and a prevention check strategy has been agreed between the district missing person co-ordinator and local authority (see below). • Where another agency has carried out the prevention check the details of that check must be passed to the Police and the Misper 7 document completed on the mobile data device.

Purpose The prevention check should be completed in full and must seek to establish: • why the individual went missing; • what they did; • where any offences committed against or by the missing person; • where they went; • their demeanour (e.g. sad, defiant, unconcerned or relaxed). This is particularly important where the person refuses to engage; • their appearance (e.g. clean, dirty, hungry, torn clothes or in possession of new clothing/possessions); • a photograph of the person; and • what action now needs to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence, e.g. sexual exploitation or human trafficking investigation, referral to District Safeguarding Unit.

People with If the missing person has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and is at risk of dementia going missing again, you should advise them about the Herbert Protocol.

Further If it is suspected that the missing person has been a victim of sexual investigation exploitation or human trafficking etc., then full details must be obtained to establish if an immediate investigation is necessary. Please refer to the Vietnamese Checklist for information.

Updating Niche The Misper 7 form must be completed on the mobile data device as this will send an automatic task to the person to be cancelled on PNC.

Mental health patient

Who conducts It is usually more appropriate for a trained mental health carer to conduct the interview prevention check of a mental health patient unless there are allegations that the patient has been the victim of a crime or the patient has made allegations against staff.

If the mental health patient:

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• has returned to the hospital of their own accord or by another person, there is no requirement for a police officer or PCSO to attend providing a mental health carer conducts the prevention check; or • is located elsewhere, a police officer or PCSO must attend to conduct a prevention check, but there is no requirement to conduct a prevention check providing a mental health carer conducts the prevention check on the patient’s return to hospital.

• Details of the prevention check must be passed onto the Police and submitted by the Misper 7 on the mobile data device.

Recording A prevention check form must still be completed by the police officer, PCSO Misper 7 or IO obtaining details over the telephone from staff or by obtaining a copy of the completed form from the hospital. This form must: • be submitted on the mobile data device; and • indicate the action taken to prevent a further missing incident before the occurrence is filed.

Young person in local authority care

Who conducts A police officer, PCSO or IO must always conduct a prevention check of a young interview person who was categorised as missing when they are found or return no matter how many times they have been missing before unless the district missing person co-ordinator has agreed a prevention check strategy with the local authority whereby it is considered to be in the best interests of the child or young person that it would not be beneficial or appropriate for a prevention check to be completed by a police officer and that a comprehensive return interview can be conducted by a professional from another agency.

Where this has been agreed, a strategy report confirming this arrangement must be completed and linked to a 'Misper – Problem Solving' occurrence.

Joint protocol West Yorkshire Police has signed a protocol with the five local authorities on children missing from home or local authority care which covers prevention checks.

Filing missing person reports

Information MFH occurrences may be filed and closed where:

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• the missing person has been located, spoken with by an officer, PCSO or IO and a prevention check conducted. The Misper 7 must be completed and PNC cancelled; • a missing person has returned to a care setting or hospital and a prevention check has been conducted by an appropriate person in accordance with an agreed prevention check strategy. The reporting officer must submit the details of the interview via their mobile data device; • where a missing person who is aged 16 and over who is capable of independent living has not been located by police or returned to a hospital or other care setting the district DCI may authorise the closing and filing of the report without the requirement for ongoing review where there: o is reliable corroboration that the person is safe and well; o are no apparent suspicious circumstances; o are no grounds to believe the person has suffered harm; o is no apparent risk that the person will suffer harm; and o is no apparent risk that the person will cause harm to another person • The DCI should endorse the occurrence with their decision making rationale and task the finalisation process to the district missing from home mailbox. • The missing from home coordinator must ensure that the PNC Circulation has been cancelled.

Filed but subject Where a missing person has not been located by police and the above to review criteria are not met the district DCI may authorise the occurrence to be: Filed Subject to Review where: • taking into account the circumstances and risk assessment, all reasonable enquiries have been completed; • it is not justifiable to continue to commit significant resources to the investigation; • an accredited (PIP level 3) SIO has been consulted; and • the recommendations of the SIO have been complied with, or • a person has been declared legally dead, but their body has not been found.

Once a Long Term Misper has been filed subject to review it is for the reviewing officer (DCI/SIO) to set the next date for formal review. Where all lines of enquiry are complete or it appears that the person may not be found timeframes may be set accordingly.

So for example if after 10 years someone is declared legally dead it may no longer be appropriate to carry out any further reviews but they will remain on the PNC, the Long Term Missing Report and NCA DNA database.

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For other filed cases, it may be appropriate to set review timeframes longer than 12 months for example 2, 3 or even 5 years depending on the circumstances.

Active investigations will remain subject to annual reviews.

Found deceased Where a missing person’s body has been found and formally identified the district DCI must file the occurrence as ‘Found Deceased’.

A final report must be attached to the occurrence by the district DCI (or nominated deputy) with confirmation that the body has been formally identified and also that any PNC circulation has been cancelled.

Long term missing persons

Information A long term missing terms is defined within West Yorkshire as a person who has been missing in excess of 28 days.

Please refer to and use the below guidance and forms for long term missing persons: Long Term Missing Persons Guidance Long Term Missing Persons MPDD Submission Form UKMPU Missing Person Notification Form

Persistent missing persons

Criteria A person will be considered as persistently missing, including cases of no apparent risk (absent) if they go missing on: • four or more occasions within a month; or • six or more occasions within three months. • It is not necessary that all these incidents were reported to the police.

Notifying the If a police officer, member of police staff or a member of the local authority missing person considers that a person meets the criteria, the district missing person co- co-ordinator ordinator must be notified and a request made to create a report. The procedure below must be followed:

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• monitor all missing occurrences, including cases of no apparent risk (absent) and if a person meets the criteria obtain an inspectors authority to forward a Misper 13 form to PNC cell to place a ‘locate/information’ report on PNC, using the most recent relevant occurrence number as a reference (this may be a Misper agency intervention occurrence). This will highlight to police officers who stop and check such a person that they may be missing from home; • ensure the Misper 13 includes details of a 24/7 contact number for the carer that the officer can use when checking flagged individuals to ensure that they are not currently missing; • ensure that all locate/information reports are kept up to date and removed if the person does not go missing for a period of six months; • review, persons identified as being persistently missing giving consideration to what multi agency action is required to prevent repeat incidents and convene strategy discussions and planning meetings as appropriate, recording all such action on a Niche Misper agency intervention occurrence report; • create a report, if requested by an officer, member of staff or a member of the local authority who considers that a person meets the criteria; and • when placing a missing marker on PNC consider: o informing relevant Safer Neighbourhood Teams and response officers; o creating a briefing item with photograph to inform response and SNT officers; and o sending a photograph and details of the person to any appropriate CCTV control rooms with clear advice on when to contact the police if this person is seen.

PNC Cell PNC Cell will: • create a locate/information report containing standard text: o persistent missing person; and o contact (name and telephone numbers of carer); and • notify the district missing person co-ordinator before the locate/information report is automatically weeded from PNC to establish whether: o the ‘persistent missing’ criteria still apply; and if so o obtain authorisation of an Inspector to extend the report by 12 months.

Person with The officer must: marker is • ensure the carer is contacted to check if the person is currently missing; checked and • if currently missing, request the carer to arrange their return and finalise the missing report and PNC circulations other than the persistent missing marker.

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If not currently missing, submit an intelligence report with details of the time, date and place stopped, any associates present, any vehicles used and any other relevant information.

Philomena Protocol

Introduction • The Philomena Protocol is named after the patron saint of infants and youths, and was first introduced by Durham Constabulary in 2017. • The idea is built on the success of the Herbert Protocol (an initiative to support adults who are at risk of going missing) – the Philomena Protocol is aimed at safeguarding children in care at risk of going missing. • Working alongside partners in children’s social care and children’s homes, it encourages carers to compile useful information, which could be used in the event of a young person going missing from care, and will include: o Known risks; o Key contacts; o Places frequented. • This joint approach is aimed at protecting vulnerable children in West Yorkshire to prevent missing episodes occurring, but if they do there is a protocol in place that will assist in finding the child quickly.

Principles • The scheme will save time and resources but most importantly, it has the potential to prevent significant harm. • By working with children’s homes and carers it aims to establish patterns of behaviour, places frequented, an up-to-date photograph, and known risks if they do go missing. • By completing a standardised form it will make carers and the emergency services’ response to the enquiry far more efficient. • Children in care can have complex issues and are vulnerable, and so it’s really important to try to prevent them going missing because every time they do, they could be at risk of harm such as child exploitation, modern day slavery, County Lines or self-harm. • Call takers must ask the reporting person if there is a Philomena Protocol in place that may provide useful information. • The officer dealing with a missing child must remember to ask if a Philomena Protocol has been completed, and if one has not been completed as the carer/children’s home to do so in case of future missing incidents. • Note: it is the responsibility of the home/carer to maintain this process and keep the Philomena Protocol up to date. • Missing from Home Co-ordinators are responsible for working with Children’s social care and Children’s home managers to ensure that the Philomena Protocol is embedded within their partnership procedures and children who

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are at risk of going missing or go missing regularly have Philomena Protocol documents in place that are kept up to date.

Herbert Protocol

Introduction The Herbert Protocol is an initiative with regards to missing people and is named after a resident of a care home, George Herbert.

Purpose It is intended to speed up and simplify the response of the police and other agencies when a vulnerable person with dementia/Alzheimer’s is reported missing, ensuring that the right information is readily available so that the search can be targeted appropriately.

Care homes It was initially designed for care homes so that they could predetermine vulnerable adults who they consider most at risk of going missing and complete and retain a form recording all vital details such as: • medicines taking; • mobile ‘phone numbers; • places previously located; and • up to date photograph etc.

In the event that a resident goes missing, they can immediately hand the form to a police officer (and, if possible, email it to the DCR) to ensure a more speedy police response.

A list of care homes that have signed up to the Herbert Protocol can be found on the intranet site.

Extended to The initiative has now been extended to include people with dementia living in sheltered sheltered accommodation or in their own homes. accommodation or own homes Individuals do not need to register with anyone or sign up to the protocol, but simply complete the Missing Person Incident (Herbert Protocol) Form and keep it in a safe place with family, friends and neighbours. If they go missing then the information can be quickly passed to the police.

Living at home You can print off or email the Missing Person Incident (Herbert Protocol) Form with dementia and the Herbert Protocol Guidance Notes and share them with any member of the public who you feel would benefit from the Herbert Protocol.

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Ellam Protocol

Introduction The Ellam Protocol has been developed following concerns raised about reporting someone missing at a time when they may be under a great deal of stress.

The scheme will be used by police across the West Yorkshire area along with partners from other agencies.

Purpose This protocol is similar to the national Herbert Protocol and the Philomena Protocol in its aims to provide information to support the police in their role in locating a missing vulnerable person.

Completing the The form is made up of two parts, and both must be completed. form The first part of the form: • is to be completed in advance and will provide personal information to support the police in their work to locate the individual; • should be completed by the individual themselves, and could be completed as part of the crisis planning with a health or social care worker, carer, family member or friend; • once completed, must be stored safely either in paper form or electronically. The person completing it must ensure it can be located in the event that they go missing, so must ensure that people are aware of where it is kept and how to access it. For further information, see the Message in a Bottle scheme. The second part of the form: • provides information about the individual on the day they are reported missing; • must be provided along with Part One to support the police by providing information on the persons’ current circumstances. People must regularly review completed forms to ensure they are up to date, accurate and relevant. If the form is used as part of the crisis planning process then it must be reviewed as part of the review of the crisis plan.

Other protocols

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Joint procedure West Yorkshire Police has: and protocols • signed a joint protocol for children missing from home or local authority care with the five local authorities in the county. It describes how we will work in partnership with other agencies to safeguard children who may be missing from home. District missing person leads should raise concerns over another agency’s level of response via Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards or relevant local partnership working arrangements. • agreed a protocol with: o the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service re the deployment of WYFRS personnel to assist with searches for missing persons and, where appropriate, resources should be requested via the Force Duty Officer; and o Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust for the management of missing patients.

Transferring ownership of the report between districts / forces

Introduction ‘Ownership’ of the missing from home report and the direction of enquiries to locate the missing person will remain with the police area which records the missing from home report (usually where the report is first made).

Left the area It may be apparent that the missing person has left that area and is now likely to be in a different force or district area where the: • majority of enquiries are likely to be made; and • person is in fact believed to be.

For example, a child placed in residential care in South Yorkshire may abscond and return to their home area in Keighley.

In this case, ‘ownership’ of the report and the responsibility for directing enquiries may be transferred from one force or district to another as follows.

NB For a child placed out of area, the home local authority retains legal responsibility for the child and there is a need for the police to liaise with both the home local authority and the host local authority.

Transferring Between West Yorkshire Police districts responsibility This may only be done in West Yorkshire where the Hub Commander or Duty Inspector in the receiving district has agreed to the transfer and the formal transfer has been recorded on the missing from home report. In cases where transfer is not agreed between Hub Commanders/duty Inspectors,

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the matter must be referred to duty district Operational Commander/PACE cover.

Between forces Where it is proposed to transfer responsibility for managing an investigation between police forces, the matter must be referred to an officer of at least chief inspector rank of the relevant district in WYP. Other forces may have a different authority level.

Please complete the Cross-border transfers form to request ownership be passed to another force.

Purpose of The purpose of transferring is to improve the management and supervision transfer of the investigation in order to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Requesting enquiries in another district

Make request To request for enquiries to be made in another WYP district, you must: • create a Storm log requesting the necessary enquiries and forward it to the appropriate DCR; and • endorse the Niche MFH report that the enquiry has been requested.

Receiving The district receiving the request must: district • action the request; • endorse the original Storm log; and • return it to the originating district’s public enquiry counter.

Originating The public enquiry counter in the district which made the request must: district's public • must update Niche; enquiry counter • must notify the originating officer; and • may then close the log.

IMPORTANT Ownership of the report and responsibility for initiating and co-ordinating enquiries remains with the originating district unless ownership is formally transferred from one district to another as above.

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Breach of Bail Hostel Curfew

Information • An individual that is avoiding the police or courts will be treated as a fugitive. A fugitive however will not usually cease all contact with family or loved ones and therefore if a family or individual believes someone is missing whilst also wanted, we must consider the circumstances and decide whether they are both. • If their status as a fugitive ceases and if they are still missing, the police need to be in a position to maintain the investigation as a missing case. • Where the person has breached a bail curfew or equivalent this will not be considered on its own to be a missing person episode unless information suggests there is some risk to the individual or public that cannot be negated by managing them as a fugitive. • Where an individual is considered both wanted and missing, there should be no duplication of effort and although there should be two incidents recorded on Niche the investigation of the case must be managed on the Misper Occurrence and follow Misper processes. • The incident is THRIVE’d and risk assessed. • Where no risk other than the suspect engaging in criminal behaviour exists record as “BAIL HOSTEL CURFEW” incident on STORM. The decision will be authorised by CCC Team leader. • Call handlers will ensure the bail hostel is informed at the time they report it that the curfew breach is being recorded but that no police deployment will take place until the suspect is formally breached and circulated as wanted. • All curfew breaches will be passed to the appropriate district for information. This would then be tasked according to status of the offender, or closed. • Should further information become available that indicates the nominal has gone missing then a missing persons incident would be created and linked to the “BAIL HOSTEL CURFEW” incident.

Hospital Absconder Policy

Information • Where a person is reported to have left a place of assessment or treatment by a Hospital or NHS Trust without notifying staff at that location, they will not be recorded as a missing person or require a police deployment unless any of the following apply. o It is considered that there is an immediate, real and substantial risk to the life and/or of serious injury to the person or any other person if they are not found. o The risk can arise in any way but would include matters such as: due to a lack of necessary medical treatment or medication, the person’s age OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 34 of 39 OFFICIAL

or other vulnerability, their mental health, inability to care for themselves, risk of self-harm or suicide and also the risk that they pose to other persons. o The information that establishes the risk may come from Hospital staff, police information and any other source. o Where hospital staff notify the police of a person having left a Hospital/NHS facility they should be asked whether there is an immediate, real and substantial risk to that person or any other person. If there is such a risk, the hospital staff should be asked to clarify the nature of that risk and why it is thought to exist. o Where a risk is identified the hospital staff should be asked to supply any contact details and any other information in its possession that may help in locating the person. • NOTE: The proposed deployment policy does not apply to persons aged 17 or under. • In making this assessment all available information should be considered, including a thorough check of West Yorkshire Police systems. If the incident falls outside of the above criteria it should be recorded as a “Concern for Welfare” incident and closed as “other agency dealing” pending further information that confirms them as missing. The organisation reporting the incident must be told that no police deployment will occur and given a reference number in the event that further information becomes available. Key points: o The call handler must make it absolutely clear that WYP intend to take no action unless the situation changes. o Should further information be received that impacts upon the risk then the incident must be reviewed and assessed. o The WYP missing persons policy, and any associated policies, will be amended to reflect proposed changes and ensure consistency.

Hospital • Before contacting the police service for patients who have absconded Absconder from or otherwise left Hospital/Trust premises it is recommended that the Proposed following criteria should all be present: Agreement o There exists an immediate, real and substantial risk to the patient or another person if they are not brought back for medical assessment and/or treatment. o The risk is such that action needs to be taken with urgency. o Efforts to contact the patient by telephone have failed. o No other person or service is able to facilitate the return of the patient. o Both the nurse in charge and the senior doctor on duty are in agreement that contacting the police is the correct course of action. o Where the police are contacted they should be told as much information as is known about the risk to the patient and whether there is a risk to any other person. OFFICIAL Missing Persons Page 35 of 39 OFFICIAL

o Any information known to the hospital about the person’s likely whereabouts or other contact information should be passed to the police.

Absonders and • The following guidelines are for use in conjunction with the hospital Welfare Checks absconder and welfare check policies and provide guidance where the person reported is receiving treatment for mental illness including where they are formally detained under the Mental Health Act (Unless they are detained under part 3 of the Act in which case see below). • Given the difficulty in predicting the risks posed by those with substantial mental health problems, the police should err on the side of caution when assessing risk. • However this is not a directive to record all mental health patients as missing people. • The police should always assist in relation to persons who are considered dangerous and/or particularly vulnerable, unless the police receive positive information to demonstrate there is no real and immediate risk to that person or others. o This does not mean that WYP must prove that no such risk exists rather that officers and staff should properly assess the information they are given. o This assessment should include a check of previous incidents involving the patient to fully understand the risk. o The caller should be asked specifically what the risk is, why it is thought to exist and what actions they have taken. • Where it is established that there is no real, immediate and substantial risk to life, then the initial enquiries will be the responsibility of the hospital staff and the initial log should be closed whilst these take place as “other agency dealing”. • If the hospital staff then complete those reasonable enquiries (including a search of the hospital premises/grounds and a check of the patient’s last known home address) and the patient is still not located then the incident should be reported again by the hospital staff, reopened and tasked to the District Hub Commander / Duty Inspector for consideration of now recording as a missing person. • The Inspector will then review the incident and either treat as a missing person or task the hospital staff with further reasonable enquiries and close/delay the log again whilst these take place.

Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 • It is likely that a duty to assist will arise in relation to persons who are subject to Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act). Being detained under part 3 of the Act (specifically sections 35 to 38) suggests the person has a substantial mental health disorder with associated risks.

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• Further, where a person is subject to this part of the Act and absconds it is very likely that a free standing duty will arise to detain them for being unlawfully at large. o Where a patient who is under part 3 of the Act has absconded this will indicate that the risk posed to and from that individual is higher though officers and staff should still ascertain the nature of the risk. o Officers and staff should be aware that patients under part 3 of the Act who have absconded will usually have breached a court order and so this will need to be established and acted upon. • Where an AWOL patient is detained then officers should ALWAYS call an ambulance to transport.

Truancy

Information • For cases regarding truant children from school, please refer to the Truancy policy.

Partnership Procedures

Planning • West Yorkshire Police Designing out crime officers (DOCOs) will scan procedures for weekly planning lists to look for relevant applications for homes for Care or Support children or adults that may pose safeguarding concerns. homes for • The DOCO will liaise with District Safeguarding officers to consider making children or a joint formal objection and ensuring that West Yorkshire Police put on adults record any concerns had about the suitability of a Care or Support home being established in that area.

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Additional Information

Compliance Department for Education statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care Department for Education guidance on safeguarding children who may have been trafficked Home Office guidance for frontline officers about victims of human trafficking APP Investigation APP Major investigation and public protection – Missing persons Joint protocol between WYP and five local authorities on children missing from home or local authority care Missing Persons Operational Guidance NCA Parental Child Abduction Guidance 2019

Related policy Child sexual exploitation procedures and Forensic identification samples in missing person cases other useful Safeguarding vulnerable adults links Regional Underwater Search Unit UK Missing Persons Unit Child Abduction Warning Notices Truancy

Parental Child Please see the important note issued stating a change in process and contact Abduction - details for parental child abduction. Update The National Ports Office is no longer operating and the function to circulate the details of a child believed to be at risk of being taken out of the country by a parent, in contravention of the Child Abduction Act now sits with the National Border Targeting Centre.

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