What to do if…
a loved one is missing and you have no contact or confirmation

What to do now

1. Make the police report now.

   • Call 999 if you think they may be in immediate danger, are a young child, or are vulnerable to harm.
   • Otherwise call 101 or use the Police.uk online reporting route.
   • Tell police clearly why this is unusual or worrying.
   • Ask for an incident or reference number and write it down.

2. Get the key facts ready before or while you call. Have: full name, age or date of birth if known, recent photo, height and build, clothing last seen in, last known location and time, usual routes and places, phone number, vehicle details, medical needs, medication, and any risks such as dementia, cognitive impairment, coercive control, domestic abuse, severe distress, or needing medication.

3. Do a brief, safe check of the last known place. Look for obvious clues such as whether keys, wallet, medication, bags, passport, phone charger, or a note are present or missing. Do not put yourself at risk, delay the police report if you are worried, or disturb things unnecessarily. Leave their room and things alone where possible.

4. Do the fastest “expected to be here today” checks. Contact the place they were meant to be today, such as work, school, college, a care setting, a booked appointment, or a travel contact. Write down who you spoke to, the time, and the last confirmed sighting or contact.

5. Preserve information that may help the timeline. Screenshot or save last messages, missed calls, voicemail details, recent “last seen” information, travel confirmations, taxi or delivery notifications, and location-sharing history if you already have access to it. Do not try to break into accounts.

6. Check close contacts and local hospitals only if it is safe and does not delay police. Ring close family, friends, neighbours, or anyone they were expected to see. You can also try local hospitals if relevant, but keep police updated and do not rely on this instead of making the missing-person report.

7. Start one simple timeline and one running log. Write down the last confirmed contact, last known location, missed commitments, checks already made, people contacted, possible sightings, and the police reference number.

8. Choose one person to update police and one person to keep the log. This helps prevent duplicate calls, lost details, and rumours. Give police any new information using the reference number.

9. Contact Missing People if you need support while police act. Missing People supports families, friends, and carers of missing people in the UK and can help you think through safe next steps.