Do I need to wait 24 hours before reporting my child missing?

Absolutely not. This is a harmful myth. You should call 999 as soon as you realise your child is missing and you are concerned for their safety. Police prioritise missing children and will begin searching immediately.

What information will the police need?

The police will ask for: your child's full name, date of birth, physical description, recent photo, what they were last wearing, their mobile phone number, details of their online accounts and contacts, when and where they were last seen, and any information about who they may have gone to meet.

What if my child returns home on their own?

Call the police immediately to let them know your child is safe. The police will likely want to speak to your child to understand what happened and assess whether they are at ongoing risk. Even if the situation resolves quickly, it is important to address the underlying cause.

Important

My Child Has Gone Missing and I Suspect Online Involvement

Your child has not returned home, is not where they said they would be, or has left without explanation — and you believe they may have gone to meet someone they contacted online, or that an online contact has influenced their disappearance.

If your child is missing, the priority is to contact the police immediately. Every minute matters in a missing child situation, and the police have specialist resources to help. This guidance will help you provide the police with the most useful information possible and take supplementary steps while they investigate.

What to do now

Call 999 Immediately

Do not wait. If your child is missing and you suspect online involvement, call 999 straight away. There is no minimum waiting time for reporting a missing child. Tell the operator you believe your child may have gone to meet someone from the internet.

Gather Information for the Police

Prepare the following: your child's full name, age, description, recent photograph, what they were wearing, their mobile number, and the names of any online contacts or platforms they used. The more detail you can give, the faster the police can act.

Check Devices Left Behind

If your child left any devices at home, check recent messages, call logs, and app activity for clues about where they may have gone and who they were communicating with. Share everything with the police.

✗ Do not: Do not delete anything from the device — preserve it exactly as it is for the police.

Contact Friends and Family

Call your child's close friends and their parents to find out if anyone knows where your child is or who they have been talking to online. Ask if your child mentioned any plans to meet someone.

Contact Missing People

The charity Missing People can provide emotional support and practical advice while the search is ongoing. They also operate a confidential helpline your child can contact if they want to let someone know they are safe.

What not to do

✗Do not wait to report. There is no '24-hour rule' — report a missing child to police immediately.
✗Do not try to investigate independently or go to meet a suspected online contact. Leave this to the police.
✗Do not post your child's location details on social media if you find them — this could put them at further risk.

Preserving evidence

Why this matters

If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.

•Preserve all devices, messages, and online accounts exactly as they are. Do not delete, log out, or factory reset anything.
•Write down everything you know: who your child has been talking to, what platforms they use, any usernames or profile names you are aware of, and any changes in behaviour you noticed.
•If your child mentioned a meeting place, person's name, or travel plans, relay this to the police immediately.

How to talk to your child

✓When your child is found, lead with relief, not anger: 'I am so glad you are safe' should be your first words.
✓Give them time to decompress before asking detailed questions. The police may need to speak to them first.
✓In the days that follow, gently explore what led to their decision. Professional support (counselling) may be appropriate.