Missing Persons (MISPER)
Risk grading, high-risk indicators, initial actions, the power to enter premises to save life, police protection for a child at risk, investigation stages, and found-safe procedures for missing person enquiries — an officer quick-reference.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
How is a missing person risk-graded, and what powers can an officer use to locate or protect them?
College of Policing APP (non-statutory operational guidance) grades missing-person risk as No apparent risk, Low, Medium, or High — the historic separate 'Absent' grade was discontinued in 2017. Risk is assessed immediately and reassessed at regular intervals (APP/force-policy practice is around 6 hours for high-risk and 24 hours for medium-risk). Indicators that should prompt a high-risk grading include the person being under 13, expressed suicidal intent, dementia or Alzheimer's, being a domestic abuse victim, dependency on medication, drugs or alcohol, being a vulnerable adult, out-of-character behaviour, or a previous high-risk MISPER history.
Statutory powers: s.17(1)(e) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 lets a constable enter and search premises without a warrant to save life or limb, or to prevent serious damage to property, and does not require suspicion of an offence. Where a missing or at-risk child is involved, s.46 Children Act 1989 allows a constable with reasonable cause to believe the child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm to remove the child to suitable accommodation, or take reasonable steps to prevent their removal, for a maximum of 72 hours — this is a police power, not a court order, and it does not give the constable parental responsibility. If a located missing person is in mental-health crisis, s.136 Mental Health Act 1983 may apply as a cross-reference.
A reference to risk grading a missing-person (MISPER) report, the high-risk indicators that should prompt escalation, initial actions, the statutory powers most often engaged (entry to save life, police protection for a child), investigation stages, and found-safe procedures. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, current College of Policing APP guidance, and current law.
Risk Categories — College of Policing APP Grading
Non-statutory operational guidance (College of Policing APP), not legislation. The historic separate 'Absent' grade was discontinued in 2017; missing persons are now graded from No apparent risk upward. Assess immediately and reassess at regular intervals throughout the investigation.
| Grade | General description |
|---|---|
| No apparent risk | Person not where expected but no apparent risk identified (e.g. a teenager late home). Historically recorded as 'Absent' before the 2017 change to APP grading. |
| Low | Minor risk factors present; some police action warranted beyond initial triage. |
| Medium | Risk factors are present, requiring active enquiries and supervision by a sergeant. |
| High | Risk of serious harm to the subject or the public, requiring immediate deployment and senior oversight. |
High-Risk Indicators
The presence of any of these factors should prompt a high-risk grading.
- Under 13 years old
- Expressed suicidal intent
- Suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's
- Victim of domestic abuse
- Dependency on medication, drugs, or alcohol
- Vulnerable adult
- Out of character behaviour
- Previous high-risk MISPER
Initial Actions
Complete these as soon as a MISPER report is taken.
- Full description (clothing, distinguishing features)
- Recent photograph
- Last confirmed sighting (time, location, direction of travel)
- Mobile phone checks (last signal)
- CCTV enquiries
- Social media checks
- Check with friends, family, school, and workplace
Powers
s.17(1)(e) PACE 1984 — enter premises without warrant to save life or limb
A constable may enter and search premises without a warrant for the purpose of saving life or limb, or preventing serious damage to property. This does not require suspicion of an offence — s.17(2) exempts this ground from the usual requirement of reasonable grounds to believe the person sought is on the premises. Use if you believe the missing person may be inside premises and at risk.
s.46 Children Act 1989 — police protection (child at risk)
Where a constable has reasonable cause to believe a child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm, they may remove the child to suitable accommodation, or take reasonable steps to prevent the child's removal from a place such as a hospital. Maximum 72 hours (s.46(6)). It is a police power, not a court order, and does not give the constable parental responsibility (s.46(9)(a)).
s.136 Mental Health Act 1983 — cross-reference for a located misper in crisis
If a located missing person appears to be suffering from a mental disorder and is in immediate need of care or control, a constable may remove them from a place other than a private dwelling to a place of safety. Detention period 24 hours, extendable by up to a further 12 hours under s.136B. See the site's mental-health guide for the full power.
Investigation Stages
1. Initial Response
Risk assess, take report, commence enquiries.
2. Active Investigation
Expand search, allocate investigating officer, consider media appeal.
3. Review
Re-assess risk at regular intervals — APP/force-policy practice is around 6 hours for high-risk and 24 hours for medium-risk.
Found Safe & Well
Actions when the missing person is located.
- Welfare check — is the person safe to return?
- Safeguarding referral if vulnerable
- Record outcome on MISPER log
- Inform all parties (family, partner agencies)
- Consider: why did they go missing? Is there an underlying issue?
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 17 — entry for purpose of arrest etc.
s.17(1)(e) allows a constable to enter and search premises without a warrant for the purpose of saving life or limb, or preventing serious damage to property, without requiring suspicion of an offence (s.17(2) exempts this ground from the usual 'reasonable grounds to believe the person is on the premises' requirement).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Children Act 1989, section 46 — removal and accommodation of children by police in cases of emergency
Police protection — where a constable has reasonable cause to believe a child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm, they may remove the child to suitable accommodation, or take reasonable steps to prevent the child's removal. Maximum 72 hours (s.46(6)); a police power, not a court order, and does not give the constable parental responsibility (s.46(9)(a)).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Mental Health Act 1983, section 136 — removal etc of mentally disordered persons without a warrant
Cross-reference for a located missing person in mental-health crisis: a constable may remove a person appearing to suffer from mental disorder and in immediate need of care or control from a place other than a private dwelling to a place of safety, for up to 24 hours, extendable by up to a further 12 hours under s.136B.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What are the College of Policing risk grades for a missing person, and where did 'Absent' go?
- Current College of Policing APP (non-statutory) grading is No apparent risk, Low, Medium, or High. The separate 'Absent' category was discontinued in 2017 — a person previously graded 'Absent' is now graded at No apparent risk or above depending on the circumstances.
- What power lets an officer enter premises without a warrant to search for a missing person?
- s.17(1)(e) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 lets a constable enter and search premises without a warrant for the purpose of saving life or limb, or preventing serious damage to property. It does not require suspicion of an offence.
- What power protects a missing or at-risk child, and how long does it last?
- s.46 Children Act 1989 — police protection. Where a constable has reasonable cause to believe a child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm, they may remove the child to suitable accommodation or take reasonable steps to prevent their removal, for a maximum of 72 hours. It is a police power, not a court order, and it does not give the constable parental responsibility.