images of young people on streets and abandoned child's toys
Media Enquiries
For all media enquiries, please email

NPIA Press Office

Report a Sighting
Missing people logo
Members of the public should call the 24 hour Missing People charity Freefone number 0500 700 700

Missing Persons Bureau

The NPIA Missing Persons Bureau (MPB) works alongside the police and related organisations to improve the services provided to missing persons investigations and increase effectiveness.

We act as the centre for the exchange of information connected with the search for missing persons nationally and internationally. The unit focuses on cross matching missing persons with unidentified persons/bodies.  Other key activities include:

  • Maintaining records of missing persons and unidentified persons/bodies to provide an investigative support service to police.
  • Maintaining a dental index of ante-mortem chartings of long term missing persons and post-mortem chartings from unidentified bodies.
  • Managing Missing Kids website designed to assist missing children investigations
  • Managing and co-ordinating the Child Rescue Alert service.

Tsunami and eathquake affecting the Asian-Pacific region

If you are concerned about someone who may have been involved in the recent Tsunami in the South Pacific, affecting Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga or the earthquake in Sumatra, please call the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on :

+44 (0) 20 7008 1500

or visit their website for further advice.

Reporting Someone Missing

If someone you know is missing and you want to report their absence you need to contact your local police station. The MPB works with the police but are unable to receive reports of missing people directly from the public.  UK Police forces

Reporting a Sighting

If you wish to report a sighting or have any information about a missing person, please call 'Missing People' confidentially on Freefone 0500 700 700 in the UK or +44 (0) 20 8392 4545 from outside the UK or follow the link and complete the appropriate form. Alternatively, you can call us or contact your local police force.