Cumbria Constabulary Partnership Responsibility to Police Missing Children Procedure

Cumbria Constabulary, with the support of the Local Authority, are updating their Missing Persons policy and procedures in line with national guidance. Changes are due to go live from January 2026.

The changes to be made are focused on ensuring a proportionate response by Police on receiving a report of a missing child. Sometimes, Police involvement in the first instance may be disproportionate, negatively impact on a child's life or relationships with professionals and on occasion, may lead to unnecessary criminalisation of that child should they commit a criminal offence on being located by Police.

Identified risks to all children will continue to be fully assessed during the initial call to Police. Where it is deemed proportionate, it may be that reasonable actions available to the parent or carer and are to be carried out prior to Police Officers being deployed. This is in accordance with the children who go missing from care framework and approved Police professional practice.

To provide you with the required skills and knowledge prior to changes being implemented, an event is being and we encourage Education, Children Services and care placement personnel to attend.

The police will provide an overview of changes to their procedures, invite discussions around safety planning and provide an insight into the role of the Police METCO (Missing, Exploited, Trafficked coordinators).

Session dates and times:

Book a place on this course:

Should you wish to attend, please email CSCP.Training@cumbria.gov.uk, to express your interest.