National Missing Person Conference Held in West Yorkshire

Thursday 25 May 2023 

West Yorkshire Police are hosting a national missing person conference in Bradford, on behalf of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
 
Taking place today, (Thursday 25 May) at Bradford City AFC Stadium, Valley Parade in partnership with COMPACT, the conference aims to assist professionals working with missing people to help identify challenges, explore key initiatives in missing person policies, whilst preventing and successfully investigating instances where people go missing.  
 
The conference includes a wide variety of speakers including NPCC Lead for Missing People, DCC Catherine Hankinson of West Yorkshire Police, colleagues from a number of police forces across the country along with supporting partner agencies. 
 
The inputs relate to different elements and challenges faced by police forces, local authorities and third sector organisations across the country. 
 
More than 250 people are expected to attend, including academics, police officers, local authorities and third sector colleagues working in this field. 
 
National Lead for Missing People, West Yorkshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson said: 
 
“We welcome those attending the conference today, to discuss challenges faced within the field of missing people, share best practices, and develop a consistent approach to safeguard those within our communities who may go missing. 
 
“There is a fantastic range of key speakers with a breath of experience who will be sharing their valuable insight into the work and support they provide in protecting vulnerable people. 
 
“By sharing out experiences in this way, we stand a greater chance of raising awareness of the issues faced and educating professionals around the risk posed. 
 
“To safeguard and protect those who may or do go missing, we must work together in a partnership approach to bring the best possible outcome in every case.”