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Finding missing children

 
The Police follow the Standard Operating Procedures for Investigation of Missing Persons and Unidentified Bodies (Metropolitan Police, 2005).

When a child/young person is missing for more than five days, the Police will set up a formal strategy meeting including all those involved.

We will come up with a plan of action, which may include circulating the details to other local authorities, other agencies and possibly publicity.

The National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) may be able to make additional enquiries and provide publicity links.

Looked-after children

If a child's absence continues, the senior manager of the children's or foster home will tell everyone in the home what's going on (after Police, social worker and parents have been informed, of course). This will stop distressing rumours going around and we may gather some information about the missing child's whereabouts.

The child's school will also be informed in case they have any useful information. Any such information should be passed to the Police.

If a child who has a child protection plan is not found within 20 working days, then the review child protection conference must be brought forward to consider whether any other action is required.

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About Greenwich

Contact information

  • 020 8921 3172

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