Missing Persons
When people go missing at an event, it is important to accurately record certain information and make a time-sensitive risk assessment to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring. Event organisers will likely have a missing persons procedure as well that should be followed, and either way, they should be notified immediately.
Providing Support
If there are significant concerns for the safety and wellbeing of the missing person, notify the event organizers and encourage them to contact police immediately.
Record answers to the questions from the ‘Questions to Ask’ section below.
Determine the level of risk posed by their disappearance. This is dependent on factors such as:
How long they’ve been missing
Their mental and physical health (historic and when last sighted)
Whether they were last seen alone (if not alone, the other person(s) are important factors)
Recent drug use
Whether the person could be doing something they don’t want their friends to be aware of, e.g. a hookup, taking drugs, routine medical/healthcare
Whether the person has a habit of disappearing.
Any other concerns of the person making the report.
If there is reason to believe that there is a risk to the person’s health and safety, it is important to alert the festival organisers, security, medic team and any other care teams present at the event, and to maintain open communication over any updates of actions taken and the person’s whereabouts and condition.
It may be necessary to provide emotional support to the person(s) making the report, as having a close friend go missing, or even making the report, can be a distressing experience.
If the missing person is a child it is imperative not to broadcast the person's name over the radio. Sharing a visual description is okay but avoid making it possible for a stranger to claim they know the child. When the child and parent are reunited, ensure they are known to each other by reading the child’s body language and ensuring the parent can tell you their name and other details about the child.
Questions to Ask
Personal details of the Missing Person:
Full name and preferred name
Primary language
Home address / camping location / vehicle description and licence plate
Cell phone number
Medical and mental health
Physical fitness
Physical Description of the Missing Person
Age
Ethnicity and nationality
Gender and gender presentation
Build
Height
Hair colour
Eye colour
Clothing
Footwear
Distinctive features (e.g. tattoos, piercings)
Photo (if available)
Recent History of the Missing Person
Known drug use (both recreational and prescribed)
Recent medical and mental health
Place and time last seen, and last known activity
Destination and stated intentions
Recent adverse experiences (e.g. interpersonal conflict, difficult drug experience, recent loss/grief)
Experience and knowledge of the area
Person Making the Report
Full name and preferred name
Home address / camping location / vehicle description and licence plate
Cell phone number
Relationship to the missing person
Actions taking by them or others (e.g. places searched, numbers called, friends approached, security or police contacted)
Care Space Staff Receiving the Report
Full name
Date and time the report was made
Resources