About 1% of missing people never come back

The 22,000 missing people investigations carried out each year by Police Scotland can be broken down for those who went missing in the year April 2016 March 2017.

Around 1 per cent of people who go missing never return.

The percentages were as follows: l 58 per cent were male, l 53 per cent were in the 13-16 year-old age group l 54 per cent were a repeat missing person l 76 per cent of those who are reported missing return within 24 hours l 99 per cent of all missing people were traced or returned home safe and well l 78 out of the 87 people traced deceased in 2016-17 were adult men, the majority of whom had not been missing before.

The latest data was presented by Police Scotland officers at the thirrd International Conference on Missing Children and Adults taking place at Abertay University, Dundee from 14 to 16 June.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cowie said: “Since April 2016, we have been compiling data on missing persons and the first full year of information provides us with a very clear picture of who goes missing and the locations from which they go missing. It is also illustrative of the noncrime related demand that is being placed on Scotland’s police service.”