5,000 signatures reached
To: Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Don’t let missing people fall through the gaps!
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- Publish a new missing children and adults strategy to ensure police, health and social care play their part
- Invest in prevention for those at most risk of going missing
- Offer support to every missing child and adult on their return
Why is this important?
Every year, 170,000 children and adults go missing. Many are found, but others remain missing, leaving them at serious risk of harm and causing heartbreak for their loved ones.
People disappear for many reasons like mental health issues, suicide, exploitation and dementia. Currently, there's no clear government strategy to prevent this or to support people. Vulnerable people are falling through the gaps,experiencing serious harm while they are away, with little or no support to help address the reasons why they went missing. They need support, so they don’t go missing again.
A dedicated strategy led by the Home Office, Department for Education, and Department for Health and Social Care could provide the necessary attention and resources. Without it, thousands will continue to go missing without support. When people return, there is no meaningful opportunity to speak to anyone about why they went missing, or what happened while they were away. This leaves vulnerable people, who are often in crisis, with no support.
Everyone should know that someone cares, and that help is available, including from the charity Missing People.
