Further evidence on the extent and time course of repeat missing incidents involving children: A research note. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galiano López, Clara; Hunter, Jane; Davies, Toby; Sidebottom, Aiden
• Is Part Of: Police journal. Volume 96:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 117
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Children -- missing -- police -- repeat; Police -- Periodicals; Police -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 363.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211052900
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-258X

Abstract

This study examines the extent and time course of repeat missing incidents involving children. Using data from one UK police force (n = 2, 251), we find (1) that the majority (65%) of missing incidents are repeats, (2) that a small group of repeatedly missing children (n = 43; 6%) account for a sizable proportion of all missing incidents (n=739, 33%) and (3) that the likelihood of a child going missing repeatedly is elevated in the weeks immediately following a previous missing incident. The implications of our findings for future research and for the prevention of missing incidents are discussed.