WIREDGOV

A new taskforce to look at ways to improve the response of agencies such as the police and local authorities to missing people and their families was launched yesterday by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The charity Missing People estimates there are more than 200,000 incidents of people reported missing each year in the United Kingdom – around two thirds of them children and young people. Most return safely after a short time but a significant number do not, causing great anxiety to friends and family left behind.

The taskforce will take a fresh look at how councils, police and other bodies work together to handle cases of missing children and consider how this can be improved.

It will consider measures to improve the service to missing persons and their families such as:

• whether new legislative powers or statutory duties on local organisations are necessary
• how to ensure information is collected consistently to gain a better understanding of the issue
• what barriers stop effective responses by local agencies and how these may be overcome
• what successful measures are already in place and how these can be extended nationally. 

The group, made up of representatives from across government, the police, Missing People and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre, will make recommendations to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary next year.

Statement from the Home Secretary

Alan Johnson said, 'The distress of a loved one or family member going missing is unimaginable. 

'I hope the taskforce will lead to a better service for both those who go missing or run away and the families and friends they leave behind.'

Statement fromt the chief executive of Missing People

Martin Houghton-Brown said, 'With more than 200,000 incidents of missing people recorded each year in the UK, the launch of this taskforce is a brave step forward in ensuring that not one of them is forgotten.'

Notes to editors 

The charity Missing People (new window) estimates that there are more than 200,000 incidents of people reported missing each year in the United Kingdom – around two thirds of them children and young people. No data is currently compiled nationally by police forces, an issue to be addressed by the taskforce.

People go missing for a variety of reasons including debt or family problems; drug and alcohol abuse; and mental health problems. Some are forced to ‘go missing’ by either abduction or trafficking.

The first meeting of the taskforce, chaired by Home Office minister Alan Campbell will be on 16 December. It will make recommendations to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. It is anticipated that any proposed changes will begin during 2010.

For more information, call the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535 or 020 7035 3844.