Return home interviews with children who have been missing: an exploratory analysis

Responding to reports of missing children is an everyday occurrence in many police agencies, and a significant source demand. In England, there statutory requirement that all those under the age 18 be offered return home interview (RHI) within 72 hours returning from episode. The main purpose RHI better understand reasons why young person went and, where necessary, put measures place safeguard reduce likelihood them going again. Although widely practiced currently limited research on conduct information elicited RHIs. attempt help fill this gap, article findings exploratory analysis 113 RHIs carried out one force area England. Findings indicate 42% (n = 48) sampled occurred required 72-hour timeframe. Absent or incomplete was common, particularly relation presence types vulnerabilities associated with children. terms interviewed, nearly half interviewees did not consider themselves missing. Moreover, exhibited high prevalence mental health concerns, conflict at drug alcohol use. implications for safeguarding preventing incidents are discussed.