Missing people investigations are an expensive but necessary part of policing in Greater Manchester. But an innovative approach to a problem which can bring anguish and trauma to famlies could potentially save the force £7m a year - and help the loved ons of those who vanish.
The force launched a pilot scheme earlier this year working closely with staff at three hospitals - Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), North Manchester General Hospital, and Park House, to ensure people considered genuinely missing are reported, and the quality of initial inquiries was improved. In the last year the hospitals accounted for 1,500 missing people.
Across the whole of Greater Manchester, over 5700 missing persons were reported from hospitals last year, costing the police approximately £15.6 million. Many of the cases reported to police may not require police investigation but can be resolved quickly with effective reporting and partnership working with hospitals, saving public money and police time.
