Response to missing person’s report - West Yorkshire Police, October 2016

On 17 October 2016, a member of staff employed at Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, contacted West Yorkshire Police (WYP) to report that one of their patients was missing. The man, who had been detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983, had been granted a period of unescorted leave from the hospital but had failed to return. WYP launched a missing person inquiry and conducted searches in an effort to trace the man. As a result of these enquiries, officers subsequently found him dead the following day.

During our investigation, investigators interviewed a number of officers who were involved in the risk assessment of the man as a missing person, together with the officers who were involved in searching for him. Investigators reviewed all relevant WYP records and considered whether the actions taken by officers involved in this case were in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.

Based on the evidence available, the Lead Investigator concluded that the risk assessments conducted by the officers and all other decisions and actions taken in relation to the search for the patient were appropriate in the circumstances. All officers co-operated fully with this investigation.

We found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

We completed our investigation in July 2017, but waited until the inquest into the man’s death had taken place before publishing our findings.