Nottinghamshire Police Missing Persons Team Cracks Cases with Public Help
Nottinghamshire Police’s Missing Persons Team tackles over a dozen cases every day. They find 90% of missing people within 24 hours. But when leads run dry, they turn to the public for backup.
Daily Appeals Save Lives and Find Vulnerable People
In the last year, the team has posted nearly daily social media appeals. These calls for help have tracked down missing children at risk of exploitation, elderly dementia sufferers, and people in crisis.
“Many people who go missing are extremely vulnerable,” said Chief Inspector James Walker, head of the Missing Persons Team. “Some are at the lowest and most traumatic point in their lives. Our priority is to keep them safe.”
Public Sharing Is a Game-Changer
Walker stressed the crucial role of the public: “Once we make an appeal, the public’s reaction is vital. Sharing posts gives us thousands of extra eyes and ears.”
He recalled a recent success where a Facebook appeal helped a girl at risk of sexual exploitation. She was spotted far from home by a member of the public who shared the post with local police. This led to her being found and an older man arrested.
“That wouldn’t have happened without the appeal,” Walker said. He added a huge thank you to everyone who has shared their posts.
More Than 5,600 Missing Person Referrals Last Year
The team, made up of police officers and civilian staff, works with local agencies to protect those who regularly go missing or face exploitation. Demand has surged back to pre-Covid levels, with over 5,600 referrals in the past year.
Each case is carefully assessed to gauge vulnerability and allocate resources. The Missing Persons Team’s relentless work, combined with public support, continues to save lives across Nottinghamshire.
