Skip to content

Missing persons

Major investigation and public protection — Authorised Professional Practice

All topics

Summary

The Missing Persons Authorised Professional Practice (APP) outlines the responsibilities and procedures for handling cases of individuals reported missing. It emphasizes effective investigation and management structures to ensure that these cases receive the appropriate focus and resources. The College of Policing aims to assist officers in taking proportionate actions, ensuring that missing person reports are viewed as opportunities to address risks. Police resources should be prioritised towards individuals assessed at the greatest risk, ensuring their safety and preventing potential crime.

Key principles

  • 1Missing person cases should be investigated effectively.
  • 2Resources and police actions must be directed effectively for safety.
  • 3Prioritise efforts based on assessed risks of missing individuals.
  • 4Recognize missing person reports as opportunities to address associated risks.

Defined terms

APP
Authorised Professional Practice
MAPPA
Multi-agency public protection arrangements
CSE
Child Sexual Exploitation
MIRSAP
Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Procedures

This is a brief, factual summary. The full APP guidance — including operational detail, statutory references and case studies — lives on the College of Policing website. APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.