APP is subject to review (either scheduled or triggered) in consultation with the relevant National Policing Business Area. All amendments go through a review process and further information is available from [email protected]
More detailed changes to APP content may be recorded separately by the the APP team. If you require a copy of APP as it was on a particular date (for example, for an enquiry) please email [email protected]. All requests must be approved by the relevant Policing Standards Manager.
'Definitions' section: added a paragraph about broadness of the definition; changed 'no apparent risk' to 'very low risk' and added sentences regarding framing of risk of harm; change to diagram to reflect very low risk.
'Risk assessment and response' section: change to very low risk; sentences added in high risk on serious crime.
Missing persons process chart: added introductory sentence explaining purpose of the diagram; diagram changed to reflect wording of risk.
'Joint responsibility' section: minor wording change regarding care homes.
'Minimum actions' section: explanation added to first bullet about malicious reports; wording change to PNC bullet, minor.
'UK Missing persons unit' section: three added sentences.
'Services' section: added multiple bullets and deleted bullets.
'Referring cases' section: minor wording changes.
'Unidentified cases' section: Section with bullets on UKMPU assistance to forces added within this sub-section.
'Charities' section: contact info updated including links that required changing.
'Gathering information' section: changed a link to minimum actions section of the APP.
'Gathering information and intelligence' section: added a bullet point to the end about suicide ideation or self-harm and added a link to the suicide prevention strategy.
'Assessing risk levels and taking action' section: added a line about unconscious bias.
'Young people and risky behaviour' section: 'no apparent risk' changed to 'very low'; swapped 'put' for 'find'; added 'be vulnerable specifically when:'; deleted 'engage in further risky behaviours, such as.'
'Child Rescue Alert' section: used sentence case for bullets; deleted sentence starting 'The CRA has been expanded...'
'Children remanded to local authority accommodation' section: last sentence, changed investigating officer to sentence case.
'Out of area placements' section: Added 'may also be' after There and before 'reasons why this is not...'
'Missing from hospital emergency departments' section: deleted the sentence commencing 'The police have a duty to...', the paragraph now starts 'The hospital...', deleted 'also' and added 'at their home address' within brackets.
'Found remains/people' section: added 'forces' to sentence starting 'where an unidentified body is found...' Removed the sentence 'The UKMPU has developed...' and its associated resources.
'BTP' section: Location and return of a missing person: 'or an' inserted in last paragraph.
'Migrant children' section: the word 'people' replaced with 'children' in the second sentence, also inserted 'normally'. Added a paragraph after the 2nd, regarding children care facility and age assessment.
'Missing persons at large events' section: word 'enable' added, last line before bullets.
'The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office' section: For further information see 'International Crime Coordination Centre...' - deleted this and the link to APP on international investigation, replaced with a paragraph on JICC.
'Identification process' section: added 'who is a SIM' after senior detective.
'Missing persons coordinator role' section: added text to reflect both adult and child care homes.
'Assisting investigations' section: added a link to the Coordinator to explain this from College source.
'Shared responsibilities' section: inserted words 'matters that are recorded as'.
'Multi-agency protocols' section: added new sentence with link to content, removing out of date link.
'Referrals to social care' section: Added paragraph; added new link to All Wales Practice Guide
'Vulnerable adults' section: removed two out of date links and added new content link to Home Office
'Trigger plans' section: removed reference to Philomena protocol
'Regulatory bodies' section: added 'or supported accommodation' to Ofsted regulatory duties to inspect.
'UKMPU returns' section: removed reference to Code of Practice and the out of date content about statistical bulletins. Added annually to the sharing of reports.
'Retention and weeding of reports' section: removed link on retention.
In 'Indefinite notification requirements for registered offenders' section – Removed reference and link to 'ACPO Extending the Notification Requirements and the right to a Review of Indefinite Notification Requirements – Sexual Offences Act 2003'.
In 'Indefinite notification requirements for registered offenders' section – removed broken link to ViSOR standards.
In 'NCA CEOP Command UK Tracker Team' – updated link to 'Travelling abroad' for UK Tracker Team contact details.
In 'Referral criteria' section – Fixed broken link to CEOP most wanted website.
In 'Escorting offenders' section – Removed link to 'Welfare and security'.
Distinguished between imprints for digital material and imprints for printed material. Incorporated links to Electoral Commission statutory guidance on these. Links also added to Elections Act 2022. Content added to 'Undue influence' section, with links to legislation. Added Note to investigating 'Undue influence' section. Added section on 'Ballot secrecy' with links to Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
