Introduction and What We Know Already?

This chapter sets out a chapter map for the book, guiding the reader through the various components that make up the missing people material about what we already know. At the start of the century little research had been written on missing people, but just in the last few years literature and interest has gained momentum. Over 359,000 missing person reports are made to the police in England & Wales every year, or 1 every 90 seconds. The chapter sets out definitions of missing from governments and academics, then focusses on a significant piece of missing people research referred to as Geographies in the field. The chapter then guides the reader through other relevant international research since 1995. This is presented in themes of Risk Assessment and various approaches to manage vulnerability; Repeatedly missing people (especially children); Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE); Vulnerable adults (including mental health); Social Services and partnership working; Police attitudes and Organisational Police Culture; Police Training including a push to degree apprenticeships; and finally, Prevention Interviews (PIs) themselves (an under-researched area). By the end, the reader will have a decent overview of the topic and be better prepared for the findings and discussion.