The Missing Girl Report
You are a response officer completing a report after a 14-year-old girl, Mia, was reported missing from her home in Harrow and returned six hours later. Her mother says Mia left at 16:10 after an argument about a boyfriend and did not answer her phone. Mia says she was at a friend's house and "lost track of time." She has no visible injuries and denies being harmed. You learn that a 22-year-old man, known to the family, was seen with Mia near the bus station at 18:30. Mia's mother is angry and wants the man "dealt with." Mia is quiet and says she does not want to make a statement. The school has previously flagged Mia as at risk of going missing. You must write an initial report for the safeguarding team and your sergeant. The report must distinguish facts from assertions, record risk indicators, and set out immediate actions without covering every possible line of enquiry.
1. Outline the structure and key content of the report, explaining why each section matters.
Read the worked answer
Structure:
- Report header - date, time, officer, reference, subject (Mia, date of birth if known), location. This makes the report traceable.
- Source and circumstances - who reported what, when Mia left, when she returned, where she was found. Distinguish fact from assertion: "mother states...", "Mia states...".
- Risk indicators - age 14, previously flagged by school, argument at home, missing for six hours, seen with a 22-year-old man, reluctance to make a statement. State the source of each.
- Actions taken - missing-person report, checks, return interview, safeguarding referral, whether a medical examination was offered, whether body-worn video was used.
- Outstanding enquiries and recommendations - speak to Mia alone, identify and speak to the 22-year-old, check CCTV and phone data if lawful and proportionate, school liaison, strategy discussion.
- Conclusion and signature - concise assessment, not a final determination.
Reasoning: the report must inform decisions by the safeguarding team and sergeant without prejudging the allegation or omitting risk.
2. Draft two short passages: one recording the allegation about the 22-year-old man without prejudging it, and one recording Mia's wishes and the safeguarding concern.
Read the worked answer
Passage 1 - allegation recorded neutrally: "At approximately 18:30 on [date], Mia's mother reported that Mia had been seen near the bus station with a 22-year-old man known to the family. The mother believes the man may have encouraged Mia to leave home. This is recorded as an allegation or concern, not as an established fact. The man has not yet been spoken to. Mia has not made a statement and has not described any harm."
Reasoning: use "reported", "believes" and "allegation"; avoid "boyfriend" or "abuser"; identify the source; record that the man has not been interviewed.
Passage 2 - wishes and safeguarding: "Mia was quiet during the return interview. She said she was at a friend's house and 'lost track of time.' She denied being harmed and said she did not want to make a statement. She has no visible injuries. Given her age, the previous school flag, the six-hour absence and the reported sighting, I am referring her to the safeguarding team. Her wishes should be considered, but they do not remove the need to assess risk."
Reasoning: record Mia's own words; do not treat no visible injuries as proof of no harm; balance wishes with safeguarding; explain the referral.
3. What should you do before submitting the report to ensure accuracy and appropriateness?
Read the worked answer
Before submission:
- Verify names, dates of birth, addresses, times and locations against records; do not rely on memory.
- Separate direct quotes from paraphrase and attribute each assertion.
- Remove opinion and emotive language ("angry mother", "dealt with"); describe behaviour and words.
- Check that Mia's wishes and her age are recorded, and that the referral is made even if she does not want a statement.
- Avoid unnecessary personal data about third parties; share only what is needed for safeguarding.
- Check for abbreviations and typographical errors that could confuse (for example "14" versus "14:00").
- Ask a sergeant to review if there is any doubt about risk or wording.
Reasoning: the report may be read by safeguarding partners, the CPS or a court; accuracy and neutrality protect Mia and the investigation.