Step 1: First actions
Has someone close to you been missing for a while? Is someone not where they should be, or do you suspect they may be missing? That’s an unpleasant and frightening situation. Here are some things you can do, often even before you turn to the police.
You can always get help
A situation like this can cause stress and panic. It may therefore be good to have someone at your side when you take the first actions. This person can support you practically and emotionally.
Urgent advice
Contact the police immediately if the missing person:
- Is a minor.
- Has dementia.
- Is suicidal.
Or if:
- A crime may be involved, such as abduction of a minor.
- The person is a danger to themselves or others.
- The person is incapable of taking care of themselves.
- The person’s absence is totally untypical for the person’s usual pattern.
Bear in mind
This way you’ll know if the person returns home. Children often return home of their own accord. Adults sometimes go away for a while unannounced and then return home.
This could run down their phone battery. Say this to other people who are worried. Appoint a contact to send a text or Whatsapp message to the missing person asking them to get in touch.
There may have been a misunderstanding and the person may return home after a short while. In that case, it may not be pleasant for them to be widely known to be missing.
Sharing a worrying situation online can generate a lot of attention. Attention that you may not yet want or need. In that case, wait for a while before making a public appeal on social media. Click here for tips on how to deal with social and other media.
You can show the photo to people who do not know the person so that they’ll know who you are looking for.
If the person has left for a short while but soon returns, they will know people are looking for them.
A situation like this will often feel stressful and panicky. It may be helpful to take the first actions together with someone else. You’re not alone!
1. Check various locations
Check different locations to see if the person is there. After ruling out a location (for the time being), go to the next one. In addition to the steps below, also check our advice by type of missing person.
First ask people from your immediate environment, such as neighbours and friends. In many cases, the person will be found after a short time, or it may turn out there was a misunderstanding.
Do so on the basis of personal characteristics of the missing person, such as age and fitness. You will find more information on high-risk places in advice by type of missing person.
- Where the person was last seen.
- Where the person was going. Also check the different possible route(s).
- Where the person might be based on interests and habits. Consider their schedules, including work schedules, diaries, and hobbies.
- Places the person often goes to.
2. Check of person’s environment
An environment check might help you find out more about the missing person’s situation and whereabouts. A number of actions you can take are listed below.
Friends may sometimes be aware of possible reasons for a person’s disappearance. It’s a good idea to keep a list of the people you talk to and what they tell you.
Check when the person was last online and whether they’re receiving messages. Note, however, that not everyone has this feature enabled.
You can sometimes find a location through, for example, Follow my friends, Find my Iphone, Smartthings Find (Samsung), Snapchat, Facebook or Instagram.
The person may be staying with these people. Children, for instance, sometimes have friends their parents don’t know about. Adults may also be visiting someone they don’t normally have much contact with.
The person may be in a local hospital, or may have been there. Be aware, however, that hospitals are not allowed to share patient information.
For example, public transport, bicycle, motor scooter, car. This has consequences for the extent of the search area. If a means of transport was used, try and collect as many details and characteristics as possible (brand, type, colour, registration).
For example, clothes, jewellery, telephone, bank cards and other cards, a bag or suitcase. Bring this list when you report the person missing to the police or use the list to give information about the person to people who are helping with the search.
For example, items left behind, like keys, medication, clothing, or cards.