There are few experiences more devastating than a loved one disappearing without a trace, especially when the missing person is a child. The sudden absence, lack of answers, and overwhelming uncertainty can be unbearable for families left behind.
Yet, missing person cases are far more common than many people realise. In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds, and experts believe the true figure may be even higher, as some disappearances are never reported to the police.
In total, this equates to around 320,000 missing incidents every year across Britain, with the majority — approximately 190,000 cases — involving children under the age of 16.
When a friend or family member goes missing, one question often echoes above all others: why?
Vulnerable people
Sadly, many people reported missing are considered vulnerable. One in ten looked-after children go missing, compared to just one in 200 young people overall. Even more concerning, children in care who go missing are often reported missing multiple times, with an average of six incidents per child.
Other vulnerable groups include individuals at risk of abuse or neglect, those living with disabilities, or people who require additional care and support
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People living with dementia are also at a higher risk of going missing, often due to confusion, disorientation, or memory loss.
Mental health problems
Mental health difficulties are one of the most common reasons why both adults and children go missing. Individuals may feel trapped or unhappy in their current circumstances, experiencing depression or anxiety linked to relationship breakdowns, domestic abuse, family conflict, bullying, or social pressures.
For some, running away can feel like an escape — a chance to leave problems behind and start again. However, being alone without money, support, or stable accommodation often worsens mental health issues over time, placing individuals at even greater risk.
Debt and financial pressure
Financial hardship is another growing factor behind missing person cases. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, more people are feeling overwhelmed by debt and struggling to cope with rising food and energy bills.
Those already living on the edge may turn to high-interest credit or loan sharks to cover basic living costs, only to find their debts quickly spiralling out of control. When repayment feels impossible, some individuals see disappearing as the only way to escape their financial situation and start over.
Abductions
While rare, some missing persons cases do involve abduction. Official figures show that 7,420 kidnapping offences were recorded in England and Wales in 2022/23. However, the real number may be higher, as many cases are never fully resolved.
When children go missing without any obvious issues at home, parents often fear the worst and suspect abduction. Tragically, some of these children are never found, leaving families without answers about what truly happened.
It is widely recognised that the first 72 hours after someone goes missing are critical. As time passes, the chances of locating them can decrease significantly.
For families whose loved ones have been missing for weeks, months, or even years, the search for answers becomes increasingly desperate. In many cases, they turn to private investigators in the hope of uncovering new leads, determining whether the disappearance was the result of abduction, or confirming if the person chose to run away.