Missing Person Framework sees police and partners effectively collaborate to reduce the number of people reported missing

A collaborative approach between Police Scotland and key partners, which places missing people and their loved ones at the centre, has contributed to a significant reduction in the number of missing persons reports across the country.

In 2015, the service launched its dedicated National Missing Persons Unit to provide a consistent approach to investigating reports of missing people within all local policing divisions.

In 2017 the National Missing Persons Unit supported the Scottish Government to develop a national missing person framework.

This whole system approach seeks to prevent people from going missing, particularly on a recurring basis, as well as supporting agencies to respond in the most effective and helpful ways when individuals do go missing.

Since 2017, work between policing, health colleagues, local authorities, third sector organisations and the Scottish Government has contributed to a reduction in the number of missing person investigations, from around 23,000 in 2017-18 to around 15,000 in 2024-25.

Another key indicator of the progress being made is that the number of individuals reported as recurring missing people has reduced to 1,795 in 24-25. Prior to the establishment of the National Missing Persons Framework, this figure was well over 2000.

Over 60% of all missing person cases relate to people under the age of 18, with a significant proportion involving Care Experienced children.

Police Scotland continues to work with partners to reduce these cases, ensuring that young people are better supported prior to going missing, as well as understanding what measures can be put in place to prevent them going missing repeatedly.

An updated version of the framework was published in September 2025 to reflect the HMICS Improvement Report for missing people, which praised the work of police and partners, while making a number of recommendations to better support those affected or involved in missing person investigations.

The new framework was officially presented at a partnership event at Police Scotland Headquarters this week. Chief Constable Jo Farrell and Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown, MSP, praised the commitment of the partners in delivering a high-level of service to the public.

Attendees at the event also heard powerful testimony from individuals with lived experience of loved ones going missing as part of the partnership commitment to using trauma-informed analysis to shape the missing person response.

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “Listening to and understanding the perspectives of individuals with lived experience of loved ones going missing is critical to helping us find solutions to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable people in Scotland.

“Many people are in crisis when they go missing, and although the vast majority of reports end with a person being found, the outcome of some of these investigations can be devastating for everyone involved.

“Early intervention and preventative approaches to address the root causes of trauma is essential to continuing to reduce the number of missing person reports, and we work closely with partners to implement protocols at a local level, particularly around those who go missing on a recurring basis.

“We remain committed to driving further progress to embed a whole system approach that strives to reduce trauma, ensuring that we treat missing people, and their loved ones, with dignity, compassion, and respect at all times.”

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown added: “It is incredibly distressing for families and friends when someone they love goes missing. I welcome the continued reduction in missing person investigations – this demonstrates the effectiveness of strong partnership working across Police Scotland, local authorities, health services, the third sector and the Scottish Government.

“The refreshed National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland 2025 builds on proven good practice and strengthens the support available to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Scotland is leading the way in efforts to reduce the number of people who go missing each year. We remain firmly committed to working with partners to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and to continue to reduce the number of individuals who go missing repeatedly.”