Request Our Help

Everything we do is provided at no cost to families or loved ones. We are the only UK charity assisting policing in England & Wales in this way. We are dedicated to finding the missing and naming the unidentified through our comprehensive, expert-led services.

How We Can Help You

We accept referrals online from family members and loved ones of missing people.

Once you submit a referral, our team will carefully review the information you have shared to determine whether this is a case where we can assist or add meaningful value. Throughout this process, we are acutely aware of the uncertainty, worry and longing for answers that families experience. We take great care to balance this with what it is realistically and responsibly possible for us to do.

Every referral is treated with respect, sensitivity and professionalism. We will always respond to you once our initial review has taken place.

You do not need to have everything worked out before contacting us. Many families come to us with partial information, unanswered questions, or uncertainty about what to do next. We will guide you through the process at a pace that feels manageable.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions to help you understand our process and how we work.

If your referral is accepted by our triaging team, the next steps will depend on the nature and circumstances of the case.
In many situations, we will first assign a Family Liaison Officer, who will work closely with you to gather as much relevant information as possible and remain your point of contact throughout our involvement. In other cases, a member of our triaging team may speak with you directly to arrange time to complete this information-gathering process in a way that feels manageable and supportive.
Once sufficient information has been gathered, the case is allocated to an Investigation Team. They will:
- Review all available information
- Develop key lines of enquiry where appropriate
- Consider whether a media appeal may help generate new information or leads
- Where relevant, prepare an investigative update or closure report
Any findings or reports are reviewed and approved by our Executive team before being shared with you and/or the relevant Law Enforcement Agency (LEA). In some circumstances, and where appropriate, the Lead Investigator or Head of Investigations may also present findings to you directly.
Every case is different. People, circumstances and outcomes vary, and we recognise that no two situations are the same. Our role is to provide an independent, investigative review to ensure that everything that reasonably can be done, has been done.
We have clear criteria that referrals must meet in order for us to make a meaningful and responsible difference.
If we feel that we are unable to assist with your case, we will explain this to you fully and sensitively, including the reasons why. Where possible, we will also signpost you to alternative organisations or services that may be better placed to offer support.
We understand how difficult this can be to hear, and we approach these decisions with care and compassion.
Once a referral is accepted, we securely store all information shared with us, in line with our data protection obligations.
Information gathered from you — and, where appropriate, from other family members or loved ones — is passed to our Head of Investigations, who allocates the case to an Investigation Team. If a Family Liaison Officer has been assigned, they will remain your main point of contact for the duration of our involvement.
Everyone at Locate International is a volunteer. We have no paid staff, and all work is carried out by trained professionals who give their time to support families and assist investigations.
Every case is different. Some reviews can be completed in weeks, while others may take months depending on complexity, available information, and whether new lines of enquiry emerge.
We appreciate that waiting is incredibly difficult. While we cannot always work quickly, we are committed to working carefully, thoroughly, and transparently — and we will keep you informed as the case progresses.
Yes. If your case is accepted, we will explain how communication will work and who your main point of contact will be.
Where a Family Liaison Officer is assigned, they will remain your primary contact. We aim to communicate clearly and honestly, even when there are no immediate updates to share.
No. We work on both recent and long-term cases, including those that are many years old.
Time does not remove the importance of finding answers, and we believe every person deserves to be looked for and named.
All investigations are overseen by experienced leaders and reviewed at executive level before findings are shared.
Locate International is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates under strict ethical, legal, and data protection frameworks.

While we aim to help wherever we can, there are certain situations where it is unlikely we are able to provide meaningful support. This may include, for example, live emergency situations requiring immediate search and rescue, cases involving children under the age of 16, or suspected murders where a criminal investigation is actively underway.
These are examples rather than an exhaustive list. Every referral is carefully assessed against our criteria to ensure that, if we take a case on, we are genuinely able to add value. If we are unable to assist, we will explain this to you clearly and compassionately, and where possible signpost you to more appropriate services or support.
Locate International is the only UK charity formally supporting police forces in England & Wales with missing and unidentified person investigations.
We have a Data Processing Contract (DPC) in place with policing across England & Wales. This landmark agreement allows all police forces to securely share missing and unidentified person cases directly with Locate International and our volunteer investigation teams. We are the only UK charity assisting policing in this way.
The DPC reflects a significant level of trust and responsibility. It recognises our ability to supplement police investigations through independent reviews, specialist advisors, and our extensive volunteer and media expertise. Ensuring that our volunteers are fully prepared, supported, and able to work safely and ethically is central to how we operate.
We work collaboratively and respectfully with law enforcement, always with the shared aim of finding the missing and naming the unidentified.
We understand that life can change in ways no one anticipates. Circumstances evolve, relationships shift, and sometimes people need time or space away for deeply personal reasons.
If you are a missing person, or believe that one of our appeals may be centred around looking for you, you are very welcome to contact us directly at investigations@locate.international. We can arrange a discreet and confidential conversation to discuss the situation and consider the most appropriate next steps together. Any discussion will be handled sensitively and with your privacy and wellbeing at the forefront.
Yes. While our formal data-sharing agreement applies to England & Wales, we do support international cases where appropriate, particularly where there is a UK connection or where specialist expertise may help.
International referrals are assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis.
Not always. Media appeals can be powerful, but they are not suitable for every situation.
We carefully assess the potential benefits and risks of media involvement, always prioritising the wellbeing of families, the dignity of the individual, and the integrity of any ongoing investigation.
Any media activity is discussed and agreed before it happens.
Yes. Many of the families we support are already working with the police.
Our role is not to duplicate police work, but to provide an independent review and, where appropriate, explore additional lines of enquiry, specialist insight, or public-facing appeals that may help move a case forward.
No. Everything we do is provided at no cost to families or loved ones.
Locate International is entirely volunteer-led and funded through donations, grants, and partnerships. No family will ever be asked to pay for our investigative support.

Make a Referral

For emergency assistance in locating a person; please call 999 instead. When completing this form, please provide any and all identifying details you know. You can include as much or as little as you are able; approximate information is fine.