Missing Persons (144A/24)
Request
1.How many ‘open’ or ‘inactive’/ ‘cold’ missing persons cases are currently under your constabulary? (Inactive meaning at least 1 year old).
2.What reasons are there as to why missing persons cases are still unsolved? i.e., funding, lack of resources, no new evidence, no body etc.
3.Are there any policies and procedures that your constabulary uses specifically for ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? If yes, what are they?
4.Which individuals are involved in the reviews of ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? I.e., Review Officer, Senior Investigating Officer, Crime Scene Manager, Forensic Scientist etc.
5.Does your constabulary work closely with other organisations when reviewing ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? If so, which organisations? And what do they do to help?
6.What charities does your constabulary have access to for inactive missing persons cases? If so, what charities? And what do these charities do to help aid a long-term missing person’s case review?
Response
1) How many ‘open’ or ‘inactive’ / ‘cold’ missing persons cases are currently under your constabulary? (Inactive meaning at least 1 year old).
The total number of missing persons investigations exceeding one year’s length at the date 24/1/2024 is 189 persons.
2) What reasons are there as to why missing persons cases are still unresolved? i.e., funding, lack of resources, no new evidence, no body etc.
No information held.
Section 84 of FOIA relates to recorded information held by a public authority and that it does not extend to providing explanations unless the answers are already held in a recorded form.
“Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as ‘information recorded in any form’. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. It does not require public authorities to answer questions generally; only if they already hold the answers in recorded form. The Act does not extend to requests for information about policies or their implementation, or the merits or demerits of any proposal or action – unless, of course, the answer to any such request is already held in recorded form.” (Day vs ICO & DWP – EA/2006/0069 Final Decision)
3) Are there any policies and procedures that your constabulary uses specifically for ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? If yes, what are they?
Yes
Force Policy: Under section 21 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you requested is available on the following website.
Missing person APP
NPCC Guidance and advice: Missing persons | College of Policing
4) Which individuals are involved in the reviews of ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? I.e., Review Officer, Senior Investigating Officer, Crime Scene Manager, Forensic Scientist etc.
Detective Sergeant, Detective Inspector and Detective Chief Inspector.
5) Does your constabulary work closely with other organisations when reviewing ‘inactive’ missing persons cases? If so, which organisations? And what do they do to help?
There is no set procedure in place in force policy involving other organisations when reviewing long-term missing cases. However, throughout the duration of any missing person investigation we will undertake numerous enquiries with other agencies depending on the action.
6) What charities does your constabulary have access to for inactive missing persons cases? If so, what charities? And what do these charities do to help aid long-term missing person’s case review?
Many charities are contacted for help by West Midlands Police. For missing persons and inactive reports, we have used the following charities:
Missing Persons Charity; Locate International; LBT Global; Edward’s Trust; Salvation Army; Migrant Health; Barnardo’s; Red Cross & Lucy Blackman Trust
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