THE number of children reported missing last year has been revealed by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

In 2024, 1,432 children were reported missing to Devon & Cornwall Police, the FOI request shows.

Last year’s figure marks a slight increase on 2023, when there were 1,348 cases.

As of September 9, 2025, there have been 1,018 children reported missing.

You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing.

A missing person will not be in trouble or be arrested for going missing.

And it is not wasting police time to report someone missing nor would you be in trouble for reporting someone missing.

For more information about what to do the someone goes missing, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.