There is no time period that must go by before anyone can be reported missing or police can begin their investigation.
• Go to your nearest police station as soon as you know the person is missing. You don’t need to wait 24 hours.
• Bring a recent, clear photo of the missing person.
• Provide as much information as possible, including the person’s last-known whereabouts, time and location, what the person was wearing, a physical description (height, weight, hair and eye colour, age) and any distinguishing features.
Reporting someone missing to the police is crucial because it allowed law enforcement to initiate a search-and-investigation, potentially saving lives by identifying potential foul play, alerting the community and
mobilising resources to locate the missing person, especially if they are vulnerable or in danger.
Prompt reporting can significantly increase the chances of finding someone safely, especially in cases where time is critical like with children, elderly individuals or people with mental health concerns.
The police must be your first responders.
All other organisations and communities can assist police in the search to the missing person.
The police will investigate the case and add the missing person to the National Bureau for Missing Persons database.
