Multi Agency Public Protection (MAPPA) National Guidance 2014

17 Missing/Wanted MAPPA Offenders

1 The primary purpose of the Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR) is to enable the police to know the location of sex offenders, and to manage these sex offenders and minimise the risk of further offending against the public.

2 It is critical that should an offender subject to the SONR go missing, or become wanted, that the matter should be treated with the appropriate urgency and seriousness. It is an operational matter for the police and the other responsible authorities to carry out all possible enquiries to trace the missing or wanted offender.

3 For the purposes of MAPPA the definitions of 'missing' and 'wanted' are as follows:

Missing: An RSO should be considered as missing when the current whereabouts of the offender is unknown and police enquiries to establish their whereabouts have been unsuccessful and as a result the risk management process may not be achievable and there exists a requirement to trace the individual and address the risk he/she may pose and establish if further offences have been committed. Those offenders who have left the territorial jurisdiction of the United Kingdom and whose location abroad is known are not considered as missing. The requirement to comply with the registration process is suspended whilst offenders are out with the UK. Where appropriate, consideration should be given to establishing whether the offender has committed an offence relative to notification of his/her foreign travel. In this situation if an arrest warrant is issued relative to such an offence the offender should be regarded as Wanted.'

Wanted: Where it is known that an offender is actively avoiding police in response to police enquiries to trace that individual relative to offences they may have committed, or in relation to other matters for which it is required that they be interviewed. This may include those occasions where an offender is the subject of an arrest warrant.

4 Where an offender subject to the SONR 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 offender is subject to statutory through-care licence conditions the matter should also be referred to the Parole Unit, at the Criminal Justice and Parole Division, Learning and Justice Directorate of the Scottish Government.

5 The MAPPA coordinator should be notified of the missing or wanted sex offender and consideration should be given to convening a MAPPA meeting. This will allow the responsible authorities to meet, share relevant information and agree appropriate actions. That said, it would be expected that the responsible authorities would consult and share information with each other prior to any formal MAPPA meeting.

Escaped or absconding patients

6 In relation to restricted patients, guidance is contained within the Memorandum of Procedure on Restricted Patients, page 69 and Annex B.