Police praised by watchdog for record finding Scots who go missing
99% of people who vanished were traced in the last year
Police Scotland is being held up as an example to law enforcement agencies around the world for its track record in finding people who go missing, with 99% found alive in the last four years.
A report from the watchdog His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), said Police Scotland conducted 16,236 missing person investigations in the 2023/24 financial year.
The report shows 60% of the people who went missing were aged under 18, and more than half of incidents were resolved within 24 hours, and 94% in 48 hours.
HMICS said police forces around the world have adopted Police Scotland's approach to tracing missing persons due to its effectiveness.
But it said missing person investigations place a significant demand on policing in Scotland, with the equivalent of 900 full-time officers dedicated to such inquiries each year.
‘Devastating impact’
HM assistant inspector of constabulary in Scotland, Mark Hargreaves, said: "Police Scotland has demonstrated consistent success in resolving missing person incidents and locating people as swiftly as possible.
"However, the impact on families in the relatively small number of situations where a person is not found, or tragically is found dead, can be devastating.
"We have highlighted where improvements can be made in the operational response when someone is reported missing.
"More too needs to be done to ensure that clear leadership and strategic direction is in place."
The HMICS report notes there are many complex reasons why a person may go missing, including mental health issues or dementia.
Inspectors praised the "very high standard" of response given by police staff who initially receive missing person calls.
They said the operational response from local policing divisions was also "very good", with officers "highly committed to locate and return people who have been reported missing as quickly as possible".
The report praised the work of Police Scotland's National Missing Persons but noted this dedicated unit has limited staffing and resources.
IT issues
The inspectorate said the national missing persons application computer program does not work effectively on mobile phones used by police, leading to some officers travelling to and from police stations to record information - which it said is not a good use of their time.
Police Scotland's operational support division, which includes dogs, drones and helicopters, was also praised by HMICS.
The HMICS report made 11 recommendations for improvement, including better ongoing training for operational officers and supervisors, and that all guidance relating to missing people be brought together on the Police Scotland intranet.
Chief Superintendent Matt Paden said: "People go missing for a multitude of reasons, all of which are carefully risk assessed against criteria, considering vulnerability and individual circumstances.
"We respond to thousands of reports every year and take a person-centred approach, during our inquiries.
"In most cases I am pleased to say that missing people either return by themselves or are returned following police investigation.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "As HMICS points out, the competence and professionalism of Police Scotland in its approach to missing person investigations was seen as so effective that police forces from across the world had approached them with a view to adopting similar practices.
"We are this year continuing to provide £145,000 of funding for two National Co-ordinators, through the Missing People charity, to help implement the aims of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland.
"The Scottish Government is providing record police funding of £1.55 billion this year - an increase of £92.7 million."
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