Ulster Unionist representative calls for specialised unit in Mid Ulster to deal with missing person enquiries
Dungannon Ulster Unionist representative Ian Irwin has called on Mid Ulster PSNI to introduce a specialised unit to deal with reported missing person enquiries.
In response to a ‘Freedom of Information Request’ by Mr Irwin, the PSNI confirmed that from the period 01/07/2023 – 01/07/2024, a total of 221 missing person reports occurred in the Mid Ulster policing area.
Mr Irwin said it is alarming that within a year there were over two hundred reports of missing persons for police to investigate within the Mid Ulster area.
He said: “I firmly believe that police should consider establishing a bespoke specialised unit, to deal with missing person inquiries. Police officers are already under extreme pressure due to lack of resources and this is reflected by the recent closures of the enquiry offices in Dungannon and Magherafelt.
"In my opinion, a specialised unit to deal specifically with missing person reports would not only provide an immediate, efficient and effective focus upon locating those missing, but would also ensure that other areas of daily policing and crime prevention are not subsequently impacted”.
The Ulster Unionist representative also confirmed that from the 221 cases reported, 171 of these investigations were resolved within 24 hours.