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Over the past four years, 99 per cent of people reported missing were traced alive and more than half of those involved under-18s.
The report also found that 58 per cent of incidents were resolved within the first eight hours and 94 per cent within 48 hours. Many of the people involved returned on their own, but figures from the UK’s Missing Persons Unit show that almost two-thirds of people in the cases investigated were found by Police Scotland officers to them.
The inspectors praised the competence and professionalism of Police Scotland in its approach to investigating missing persons and it was revealed that it was so effective that other police forces from around the world contacted Scottish leaders to adopt similar practices.
The review found that there were other areas where improvements could be made, although the overall response was ‘very good’.
He said investigations place a ‘significant’ demand on policing in Scotland with the equivalent of 900 full-time officers dedicated to investigations each year.
And Assistant Inspector of HM Constabulary in Scotland, Mark Hargreaves, said that although the vast majority of missing people are being traced, the heartache experienced by those whose loved ones were not found safe and sound should never be forgotten is healthy.
Mr Hargreaves said: “Police Scotland has shown consistent success in solving missing person cases and locating people as quickly as possible.
“However, the impact on families in the relatively small number of situations where a person is not found, or tragically found dead, can be devastating.
“We have highlighted where improvements can be made in the operational response when someone is reported missing.
“More also needs to be done to ensure that clear leadership and strategic direction are in place.”
The HMICS report also revealed the many reasons why a person could go missing, which include mental health problems and dementia.
Children and young people account for 60 per cent of all missing people, with the majority coming from their own home – although some are reported from residential childcare.
The ‘very high standard’ of response given by staff who initially receive missing person calls was also praised.
They said that the active response from local departments was also ‘very good’ with officers being ‘very committed’ to returning people ‘as soon as possible’.
Police Scotland’s National Missing Persons Unit was also praised, but inspectors warned of limited staffing and resources and found ‘gaps at a national level’ in terms of leadership, governance and oversight.
Concerns were also raised about a computer program used by Police Scotland for missing people.
The National Missing Persons Application was described as a ‘welcome introduction’ and did not work effectively on hand held mobile devices used by the police, meaning officers had to travel to and from police stations to record information.
The inspectors said that the principles of Scotland’s National Missing Persons Framework were a particular strength in the country, and that there was nothing similar in other parts of the UK.
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However, it was found that not enough Police Scotland officers and staff were aware of its existence and that more needed to be done to promote the aims of the framework.
It was also found that almost a quarter of people who were reported missing once would go missing again.
Mr Hargreaves said: “The issue of some people being reported missing again and again is a significant challenge for the police and partners – as the response to people who are missing is not just a matter for the police lost
“The contribution of partner organisations, including local authorities, health services and third sector partners is essential to achieving positive outcomes for missing people.
“Although some areas are able to demonstrate effective partnership work which has led to better preventive methods and a reduction in the number of incidents of missing people, this needs to be more consistent throughout the country.”
The HMICS report makes 11 recommendations for improvement, including better ongoing training for executives and supervisors, and that all guidance relating to missing people be brought together on the Police Scotland intranet. It also lists six further areas for development.
Mr Hargreaves said: “Missing persons investigations can be complex in nature and are, without doubt, a high-risk area of ​​policing. We have outlined recommendations with the intention of supporting Police Scotland to drive improvement.”
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source link https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24625275.foreign-forces-aim-follow-police-scotlands-missing-person-lead/?ref=rss
