Call to better protect vulnerable as number of missing is revealed
SOMEONE GOES missing every 55 minutes in West Yorkshire, with the vast majority disappearing from care homes and hospitals, according to the county’s police and crime commissioner.
Mark Burns-Williamson has called on local authorities to work better together to tackle the root causes of people going missing, “not only to reduce the risk of harm for the individual, but also reduce the demand on the police and other services”.
He said a total of 5,263 adults and 4,172 children were reported missing in the year to March 31, 2017, showing how important it was to raise awareness about safeguarding vulnerable people.
Previous reports by the force have revealed the impact the high number of missing people has on police resources in the county.
Mr Burns-Williamson said: “Analysis shows that the vast majority of people in West Yorkshire who go missing do so from care homes and hospitals, so by working with these partners to understand the issues and challenges that they are facing, we can look at early intervention options to try and solve the problems.
“We need to work better together to tackle root causes and prevent people from going missing in the first place, not only to reduce the risk of harm for the individual, but also reduce the demand on the police and other services.”
This week is West Yorkshire Safeguarding Week, in which local officials highlight the services available to those who may need them. Officials want to emphasise the message that safeguarding is everyone’s business.
Mr Burns-Williamson said: “When you hear on the news about cyber crime, or an elderly person being targeted by doorstep scammers, or a case of a child being failed by the system or cases of child sexual exploitation being missed, you may think it’s truly awful.
“But unless it directly impacts you and your family, it is sadly another daily news item.”
Over the week, officials from local safeguarding boards and community safety partnerships, as well as community groups and charities, have joined forces with the PCC’s office and West Yorkshire Police to hold workshops and events.