Data on incidents of missing persons from January 2017 to November 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027512

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am writing to you to request the following information regarding missing persons. I am seeking the following information.

1. Between 1 January 2022 and the 30 November (inclusive), how many missing person reports were filed with the Met?
2. Of these reports, can you provide the gender of the missing person and their age?
3. Of these missing person reports, can you provide a breakdown of the outcome of the reports?
4. Of these reports, can you disclose how many involved children (those under 18) in the care system?
5. Of these reports, can you disclose how the calendar year 2022 compares to the previous 5 calendar years in terms of the number of missing reports filed?
6. Can you detail how the Met Police go about investigating a missing person report?
7. Can you detail the criteria used to decide whether someone is a low-risk, medium-risk or a high-risk missing person?
8. Can you detail how many missing person reports are received from overseas law enforcement agencies and/or diplomatic missions/embassies/High Commissions/consulates?
9. Can you detail how many missing person reports were received from the National Crime Agency?
Can you please provide this information in either a Word document or in an Excel spreadsheet.

Clarification received 11/01/2023:

I can confirm that I am happy with the omission of Questions 8 and 9 of my request.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means

Reason for decision

With reference to your questions 6 and 7, it should be noted that the MPS follow authorised professional practice (APP) developed and owned by the College of Policing. It is the official and most up-to-date source of policing practice and I am pleased to be able to inform you that it is accessible on the www.

Guidance for the investigation of missing persons is included in the Major Investigation and Public Protection manual (APP), and information relevant to your questions 6 and 7 can be accessed direct via the links below:

Missing persons | College of Policing

Missing Persons Risk Assessment - College of Policing

As the information above is reasonably accessible by other means Section 21 of the Act has been applied to refuse disclosure.

Section 21(1) - Information which is reasonably accessible - The information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance. Section 21 is an absolute exemption which means there is no requirement to carry out a public interest test.

Disclosure

Please see the spreadsheet attached for data relevant to your questions 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
Please ensure that the data provided is read in conjunction with the notes page of the attached spreadsheet to ensure correct interpretation of the data provided.

Please note that data for the last five years has been provided to allow comparison with 2022 data, as requested at your question 5.