Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA): national guidance

8. Missing and/or Wanted Individuals Subject to MAPPA

8.1. For individuals subject to MAPPA who are missing or wanted, consideration should always be given to advising the relevant MAPPA Co-ordinator. As well as ensuring they have the most up-to-date information on the individual concerned, it will enable further thought to be given (where timing allows) as to whether there is a requirement to convene a formal MAPPA meeting as a result of the individual being missing/wanted. Regardless of whether a MAPPA meeting is held or not, expectation is that the Responsible Authorities would consult, share and record appropriate information with each other.

MAPPA Category 1: Individuals subject to the Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR)

8.2. The primary purpose of the Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR) is to enable the police to know the location of individuals subject to SONR and to manage them and minimise the risk of further offending.

8.3. Police Scotland treat all missing and wanted individuals subject to SONR with the utmost seriousness and will carry out thorough enquiries to trace their whereabouts and to re-establish the management required to protect the public. On all occasions a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) of a rank no less than Inspector will be appointed to lead these investigations.

8.4. Where an individual subject to the SONR is identified as missing or wanted, senior managers of the Responsible Authorities should be made aware at the earliest opportunity. This will allow for the appropriate level of management and for the deployment of suitable resources to trace them. If the individual is subject to statutory throughcare licence conditions set by the Parole Board for Scotland or Scottish Prison Service (acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers) and it is considered (along with any other relevant information) that the individual has now breached those conditions then the matter should also be referred by the relevant Justice Social Work Supervising Officer to the Scottish Government's Community Licence Team, Justice Directorate - Email: communitylicence@gov.scot.

8.5. For the purposes of MAPPA the definitions of 'missing' and 'wanted' individuals subject to MAPPA are as follows:

Missing: - Individuals subject to the SONR

8.6. A Missing individual is defined as someone whose whereabouts are unknown and:

• where the circumstances are out of character; or
• the context suggests the individual may be subject to crime; or
• the individual is at risk of harm to themselves or another.

Wanted: - Individuals subject to the SONR

8.7. A Wanted individual subject to the SONR is defined as someone who is subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and who has a live warrant in force.

Restricted Patients

8.8. For information on Restricted Patients who escape or abscond, please refer to the Memorandum of Procedure on Restricted Patients, page 69 and Annex B. Chapter 10 of this guidance provides further details on Restricted Patients.

MAPPA Category 3: Other Risk of Serious Harm individuals

Missing: – Other Risk of Serious Harm

8.9. A Missing individual is defined as someone whose whereabouts are unknown and:

• where the circumstances are out of character; or
• the context suggests the individual may be subject to crime; or
• the individual is at risk of harm to themselves or another.

Wanted: – Other Risk of Serious Harm

8.10. A Wanted Other Risk of Serious Harm individual is one who has a live warrant in force.

8.11. Where a MAPPA Category 3 (Other Risk of Serious Harm) individual is discovered to be missing or wanted, senior managers of the Responsible Authorities should be made aware at the earliest opportunity. This will allow for the appropriate level of management and for the deployment of suitable resources to trace them. If the individual is subject to statutory throughcare licence conditions, set by the Parole Board for Scotland or Scottish Prison Service (acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers) and it is considered (along with any other relevant information) that the individual has now breached those conditions then the matter should also be referred by the relevant Justice Social Work Supervising Officer to the Scottish Government's Community Licence Team, Justice Directorate - Email: communitylicence@gov.scot