If your child is missing
If your child goes missing, you must report it to the police immediately. Going missing is one of the most common signs of child exploitation. Even if it happens regularly, report it every time.
How to report a missing child
You can report your child missing by:
- visiting your local police station
- calling 101 (this will connect you to your local police)
- calling 999 if your child is in immediate danger
You do not need to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. You can contact the police as soon as you believe your child is missing and you’ve checked for any messages or signs of where they might be. There is no minimum waiting time.
When you call the police
When you call, you’ll usually speak to a call handler. Tell them straight away that you are reporting a missing child.
If this is not the first time your child has gone missing, explain that this is part of an ongoing concern about child exploitation.
They may transfer you to a police officer or arrange for one to contact or visit you. Ask for a police incident number for future reference.
When your child returns
If your child returns home, the police may carry out a safe and well check. This usually happens within 72 hours but may vary by police force.
Your child will also be offered a return home interview (RHI) by the HOTH team. This is a chance to understand why they went missing and how to prevent it happening again.
In cases of exploitation, children may not disclose where they’ve been. They may feel loyal to the abuser or believe they are in a relationship. Keep encouraging your child to talk when they are ready.
You can request repeated RHIs if needed. It’s important your child knows someone is always ready to listen.