Wanted and Missing Persons Policies

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034254

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am writing to request information on the Met's policies on wanted and missing individuals.

1. How does the MPS classify or categorise missing and wanted individuals? For example would wanted individuals be classified by the offence involved, whether they absconded from jail or court, etc.?

2. How long are wanted/missing alerts valid for? Would this be case-specific or is there a general rule?

3. How often are wanted/missing alerts reviewed? Would this be case-specific or is there a general rule?

4. Excluding cases where the individual is actually found or arrested, is it possible for wanted/missing alerts to be removed? If so, what would be the criteria?

5. Does the MPS have policies on handling cases where the individual has been wanted or missing for an extended period of time, e.g. 20, 30, 40+ years?

6. Regarding wanted or missing individuals that may be located abroad, what criteria does the MPS use to determine whether international cooperation is proportionate and necessary? For example would alerts of a specific category be automatically sent to foreign agencies or is this an entirely manual/case-by-case process?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - How does the MPS classify or categorise missing and wanted individuals? For example would wanted individuals be classified by the offence involved, whether they absconded from jail or court, etc.?

The MPS considers the response between wanted and missing according to the national guidance contained in the College of Policing’s approved professional practice. Essentially this is a risk-based decision balancing the threat of harm posed to the individual or public by the criminality/offending or personal vulnerability as a missing person. Occasionally an individual may be considered both missing and wanted but with designated ownership to avoid duplication.

Q2 - How long are wanted/missing alerts valid for? Would this be case-specific or is there a general rule?

Case-specific – It depends on what you mean by ‘alerts’.
A wanted or missing marker on the Police National Computer will remain live until the case is solved or closed as complete. A public appeal type of ‘alert’ is an operational decision by the officer leading the investigation.

Q3 - How often are wanted/missing alerts reviewed? Would this be case-specific or is there a general rule?

In response question 2, there is no question to answer.

Q4 - Excluding cases where the individual is actually found or arrested, is it possible for wanted/missing alerts to be removed? If so, what would be the criteria?

Again, it depends on what you are referring to as ‘alerts’ Your use of ‘wanted/missing alerts’ in the context of a UK policing response to a missing person is most closely reflective of the PNC ‘marker’ which alerts police forces and other agencies with access to checks on the PNC that the individual is ‘wanted/missing’. Removal is subject to an operational decision by the investigating officer – Criteria is relevance. If the investigation is live, the marker will/should remain.

Q5 - Does the MPS have policies on handling cases where the individual has been wanted or missing for an extended period of time, e.g. 20, 30, 40+ years?

There is no specific policy for long-term open or historic cases. Missing Person cases open for an extended period of time are subject to periodic investigative reviews by a senior detective (Detective Chief Inspector). Any case open beyond 12 months is subject to annual review.

Q6 - Regarding wanted or missing individuals that may be located abroad, what criteria does the MPS use to determine whether international cooperation is proportionate and necessary? For example would alerts of a specific category be automatically sent to foreign agencies or is this an entirely manual/case-by-case process?

These are operational decisions shaped by proportionality. If a missing person is located abroad, they are no longer missing and the lead officer will determine any further action to establish their wellbeing. If traced to a foreign country, police can liaise with the national crime agency and Interpol to issue what is known as a Yellow Notice which alerts agencies in the relevant country of the individuals status as a missing person.

If wanted, persons located abroad will be pursued within the framework of any extradition agreement and criteria meeting the grounds for international assistance – This has to be justified to and raised by the Crown Prosecution Service.