Missing Persons Authorised Professional Practice
The Missing Persons Authorised Professional Practice was published in January 2017, consolidating and updating previous ACPO guidance. It can be accessed at: https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/major-investigation-and-public-protection/missing-persons/
Missing Persons
The following websites may be of use if you have a friend or relative who has gone missing. They may also be of help if you are a missing person and require advice on how to make contact with your family or who you can turn to for advice.
General advice on what to do if you are concerned that someone has gone missing.
Missing People is an independent charity providing a lifeline when someone disappears. It provides support for those left behind, as well as those who have gone missing but wish to seek help with getting in touch with family or are in need of advice.
LBT Global helps families of people missing overseas, as well as assisting in homicides overseas, accidental death overseas, abduction and hostage cases, as well as other crises that befall British Citizens travelling overseas.
Children And Young Adults
The following websites are for organisations aimed at helping children who go missing, or are thinking of running away, and their families. They also provide useful resources for police and other professionals working with missing or vulnerable children.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) teams, within the vulnerabilities command of the National Crime Agency, work to eradicate the sexual exploitation of children. CEOP provides useful advice and resources for anyone concerned about online sexual abuse, working with a number or partner agencies to safeguard children.
Missing People is an independent charity providing a lifeline when someone disappears. It provides support for those left behind, as well as those who have gone missing but wish to seek help with getting in touch with family or are in need of advice. The charity also hosts the UK's official site for missing children appeals (previously http://missingkids.co.uk), part of the Global Missing Children's Network.
The ChildLine service is provided by the NSPCC. Children and young people can contact them for advice on anything that is worrying them. ChildLine regularly provides advice and help for children who are experiencing abuse, family problems or who are thinking of running away.
Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) is a UK-based charity which identifies and protects children who have been separated from family members as a result of trafficking, abduction, divorce, conflict or asylum. The charity provides a National Advice Line for any enquiries that concern children and family welfare matters which cross international borders.
ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is a leading children's rights organisation, campaigning against the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the UK and internationally.
Karma Nirvana is a support network for men and women who are victims, potential victims or survivors of forced marriage or honour-based violence. Karma Nirvana provides a confidential 'Honour Network' helpline.
Parental Child Abduction
The following services may be of assistance where a child has been taken overseas by one of their parents, without the permission of the other parent. These services will also offer advice and assistance to police officers dealing with a parental child abduction report.
Reunite International is a leading UK charity specialising in the movement of children across international borders. Reunite provides an Advice line for parents affected by parental child abduction and can provide advice on who to approach for legal assistance and how to try and prevent a child from being taken out of the UK without consent. Police are also encouraged to contact Reunite for advice when dealing with a report of a parental child abduction.
The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) provides advice and assistance to parents whose children have been taken or kept overseas by the other parent without consent. ICACU can also advise those who fear this will happen. ICACU is the Central Authority in England and Wales for The Hague Convention, Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 and the European Convention.
The International and Human Rights Branch (IHRB) is the contact point in Scotland for parents whose children have been taken or kept overseas by the other parent without consent. The IHRB is the Central Authority in Scotland for The Hague Convention, Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 and the European Convention.
The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service is the contact point for Northern Ireland for parents whose children have been taken or kept overseas by the other parent without consent. The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service is the Central Authority in Northern Ireland for The Hague Convention, Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 and the European Convention.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Child Abduction Section assists British and Dual British nationals affected by parental child abduction involving non-Hague countries.
Tracing Lost Family Members
Services for those who are looking to trace relatives with whom contact has been lost over the years, maybe through house moves or family conflict, or for those who are looking to research their family history.
Missing People Lost Contact Tracing Service can assist with locating and contacting relatives who you have lost contact with.
The British Red Cross International Tracing and Message Service provides advice on finding family members separated by conflict, disaster or migration overseas.
The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service exists to trace relatives who have lost contact with each other, either recently or in the past.
Advice on tracing family and friends using official records: https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/registry-offices
