Rise in missing person reports
There was a 170 per cent increase in the number of missing person reports filed in Perth and Kinross over the spring and early summer.
A large proportion of those who have gone missing are young men aged between 10 and 19.
The figures were revealed in the latest quarterly police report for Perth and Kinross.
Chief Superintendent Phil Davison presented the report – which covered the period from April 1 to June 30, 2021, to Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and communities committee on September 8.
He reported a“significant demand”in this area with 100 missing person reports filed over that period.
His review said:“In this reporting period 100 missing person reports were received, which represents a 170 per cent increase on the same demand from quarter one, 2020/21.
“Five young people were the subject of 29 of these reports and the greatest demand was from premises which accommodate looked-after children from all parts of the UK. Sixty per cent of reported missing people are male and 60 per cent are from the 10-19 age range.
“Missing persons investigations have ranged from a joint investigation by local officers and specialists in three police forces to trace two young people who were known to have gone missing from a local care establishment to be involved in county lines drug dealing, to two local officers saving the life of a young person by talking them away from a well-known local suicide hot spot.”
The need to respond to people in mental health or other crisis also increased significantly.
He wrote:“In comparison to demand in early April, we saw an increase of over 100 per cent during June 2021 in reports submitted to partners following the police response to vulnerable persons.
“Much of this demand may come from other agencies unable to deploy the same number of staff on the front line.
“We continue to work with third sector providers such as The Neuk to ensure there are alternatives to police custody in cases where acute mental health interventions are not required.”