Reporting Someone Missing

NOTE: This is not the standard way to report someone missing. The information given here is in the event of a major incident. The standard way is to contact your local police station.

A special telephone number will be issued via the media for concerned relatives and friends to ring during a major incident and lodge details of the person they are worried about.

Information you should have before picking up the phone

About the missing person:

• Why do you think the person you are concerned about may have been involved?
• What is their full name and date of birth, or approximate age?
• What is their current or last address?
• What is their home telephone number, including STD code?
• What is their ethnic appearance?
• Do they have any major distinguishing features, i.e. unusual clothing that would make them stand out in a crowd?
• Did they go to the event on their own or with anyone else?
• Did they go to the event in a vehicle? If so, what is the make, model, colour, type - i.e. saloon, estate, etc - and vehicle registration number?
• Is there any other information about the person that may be helpful?

About you:

• What is your full name and relationship to the person that you are concerned about?
• What is your full address, including the country if it is outside the UK?
• What is your home telephone number, including full dialling details if outside the UK?
• Do you have a different contact number, i.e. pager or mobile telephone number?

About the next of kin:

• Are you the next of kin?
• What is the full name and relationship of the next of kin?
• What is the address of the next of kin?
• What is the telephone number and any other contact number of the next of kin?

It is important that you let other members of your family and friends know that you have reported someone missing, as they may also be trying to contact us.

If you are reporting a family missing, a separate entry will need to be completed for each family member.

Any information you supply will be entered onto a computer database to help us manage the records, as well as provide the investigation team at the scene with up to date details.

Once we have definite news about the person(s) you have reported missing, we will get in touch, so ensure someone is prepared to receive the call.

If the person who you are worried about makes contact and is safe, you should immediately pass the information to the Casualty Bureau, allowing us to concentrate on those people who are still unaccounted for.

When a Casualty Bureau is activated, hundreds of people will be trying to get through. We will try to deal with these calls as quickly as possible. Therefore, you may find that you have to queue for some time before being answered - please be patient.