Response to missing person’s report - West Midlands Police, November 2017

On 29 November 2017, at 8.16pm, a man called West Midlands Police to say that he was concerned about his wife, who had gone missing from home. She had mental health issues and had previously tried to take her own life. At 9.29pm, a police officer found the woman at the top of a car park in Birmingham city centre. The officer informed the control room that he had located her. He tried to speak to her but the woman jumped off the building. Police officers and ambulance staff tried to resuscitate her but she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

During the investigation our investigators reviewed West Midlands Police’s response and rationale during the search for the missing woman.

The evidence indicated that the actions carried out by West Midlands Police were in line with the policy regarding high-risk missing persons.

The Investigator found no indication that any person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.