Hugh’s comment
To satisfy the fears of your family, all you need to do is to leave a photocopy of your map with the route marked on it. In the unlikely event that you fail to return, the police should have a pretty clear idea of where you are likely to be. Is very valid and sound advice, but I had doubts about the nature of the police response for low land areas vs mountainous areas and also the prioritisation given by them in respect of the vulnerability of the individual. E.g. Well equipped fit walker vs child or dementia sufferer.
So I did snap check on the internet to see what police missing persons response policy had been put into the public domain.
The first item I found was Kent Police’s policy
http://www.kent.police.uk/about_us/policies/n/n037.htmlAnd more enlightening was an FOI request made of The PSNI from which I post some extracts below.
http://www.psni.police.uk/missing_persons_northern_ireland.pdfQuestion 4Are those reported missing designated under different categories (for example, a 4 year old who goes missing may be put into an 'urgent category')?
AnswerThe investigation of a missing person is based on the circumstances of the disappearance. Officers recording the initial report will record sufficient information to conduct a risk assessment and initiate a police response. There are varying degrees of risk and police action is guided by the known facts. The vulnerability of a missing person is a strong consideration in establishing the potential risk to the missing person. All persons under 18 years of age are included in the definition of vulnerable.
Question 5If so, what are these categories, and are there different levels of priority assigned to them (please explain)?
AnswerThere are varying degrees of risk and police is guided accordingly. The degrees of risk are defined as:
Low Risk – no apparent threat/danger to the missing person or members of the public.
Medium Risk – the risk posed is likely to put the missing person in danger or threatens other members of the public.
High Risk – the risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing the missing person is in danger
through their own vulnerability or mental state, or there are substantial grounds for believing that the public is in danger
as a result of the missing person’s mental state.
Question 6Are there different responses and procedures for each?
AnswerThe Call Grading Policy Directive will determine the immediate response. Upon attending and commencing an investigation, the response/investigator will be determined on risk. If assessed as Medium or Low Risk – the supervisor should be informed immediately and the Duty Officer should be advised as soon as possible who will appoint an investigating officer. If assessed as High Risk – the Duty Officer should be informed immediately and a Crime Manager will direct the investigation.
Question 8What methods are employed to find them?
AnswerThe methods employed and circulation of the missing person will depend upon the circumstances, in line with previous reports (where applicable), information held on databases, and circumstances of the incident that led to the missing person being reported i.e. a hill walker or a child reported missing. Checks will be made with local hospitals, police establishments to determine whether or not the missing person is detained in custody, police officers will be briefed with a description and last known whereabouts, friends contacted if not already done so by relatives etc.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Working on the basis that there will be reasonably standardised policies across all of the UK's Police Forces then the conclusion I draw from this all to brief investigation is that if you are reported missing in a low land area, are properly equipped, known to be fit and of sound mind then its unlikely that here will be an immediate police response or search for you.
And on a personal note I was recently intimately involved with reporting the disappearance of an adult close relative who was vulnerable and highly distressed. There was no immediate call out of the police helicopter, no massive search parties. In fact no immediate action at all. Not until after about 6 hours did we receive a phone call to ask if said person was still missing. It all resolved it self soon after without any police intervention at all.
I will be interested to see what information Hugh receives in response to his investigations.