There has been an explosion in the number of missing people in Kirklees, the Examiner can reveal.
The figures show that in September 2014, there were 98 missing persons but by September this year this had rocketed to 162.
In Calderdale meanwhile the increase over the same time period was much less dramatic – from 50 to 61.
Police also revealed that many of the cases they deal with involve children.
The news comes just days after the tragic death of Jason Webb, who was missing from his Marsden home. His body was found in the Huddersfield Narrow Canal after a massive search.
Asked to explain the increase, Acting Det Chief Insp Jim Griffiths said: “I think it is probably because we have a better understanding of why people are missing these days.
“We now accept that when someone is not in a place where they should be or are expected to be, then a missing person inquiry is created.
“And there’s definitely an increase in the number of missing people with mental health issues.
“In addition the police now have a much better understanding of why people go missing.
“The police also recognise that they are sometimes the only agency that can find people.
“A missing persons inquiry can be a large drain on our resources.
“We have specialist missing from home investigators who deal day-to-day with such inquiries and we can also bring in Force resources such as a search specialist, helicopter help and underwater search teams, both sonar and actual divers – all of which impacts on our financial resources.
“I have been involved in managing missing people for seven years and have seen a rise in the demands on the police to deal with missing people investigations.
“You are dealing with everything from frail, elderly people who have wandered out of care homes to a middle-aged businessman who has taken off around the country and children who go missing for different reasons.
“The majority of our missing people are under 18”
Mr Griffiths added: “It can be really difficult to find people if someone does not want to be found, no matter what inquiries you put in place to locate them.”
