New toolkit from Missing People aims to improve responses to Black missing people

The charity Missing People has produced a specialist toolkit for police forces and professionals to improve the response to Black missing people, highlighting evidence that Black children and adults are disproportionately affected by missing incidents and often experience poorer outcomes when reported missing. The guidance is developed in partnership with Listen Up, an organisation focused on addressing bias and improving outcomes for Black and racialised children in the child protection system.

The toolkit sets out research showing that Black people are overrepresented in missing reports compared to their share of the population, and are more likely to remain missing for longer periods, be assessed as lower risk, and receive less effective search outcomes. It also highlights concerns that bias and systemic inequalities may contribute to these disparities, alongside wider issues such as reduced visibility in media appeals and mistrust between communities and policing.

Alongside the research, the toolkit includes practical resources aimed at helping police forces identify and reduce bias in missing person investigations. These include guidance on reviewing case records and language used in reports, improving risk assessment processes, strengthening communication with families, and using data to identify disparities in outcomes. It also encourages forces to regularly audit their performance, involve people with lived experience, and improve accountability through transparency and independent oversight.

A key focus of the toolkit is improving organisational learning and practice, including training materials on vulnerability, adultification bias, and the different ways missing incidents involving Black individuals may be interpreted or prioritised. It also provides frameworks for reviewing existing procedures and strengthening return interviews, complaints processes, and community engagement.

Overall, the toolkit aims to support a more consistent, fair and informed approach to missing person investigations, with the goal of reducing inequalities in outcomes and improving trust between Black communities and policing services.

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