The ‘wait 24 hours’ rule is a myth. Act now — here is a calm checklist.
When a family member does not come home or stops answering, the first hours are the most useful. Stay calm and work through these steps.
What to do
- Make a police report nowBring a recent photo, IC details, what they were wearing and where they were last seen.
- Call their friends, workplace and schoolWrite down who you spoke to and what they said.
- Check phones, social media and bank activity you can seeRecent messages, logins and transactions may show where they went.
- Check hospitals and nearby placesIncluding places they often visit.
- Share carefullyAsk the police before posting publicly, and never share your home address in appeals.
- Keep one phone free for callsAnd keep a written timeline of everything.
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Not sure what to do next? Try the free Case Assessment — 3 minutes · private · no sign-up. See what you already have, what is missing, and the lawful next steps. Start the free assessment →
Emergency? Call 999. Scam in progress? Call the National Scam Response Centre at 997. This tip is general information, not legal advice.