THE number of calls to North Yorkshire Police over missing people has fallen in the last year, bucking the national trend.

Across the country, the number of calls to police regarding missing people has risen by about 20 per cent, but in York, that figure has fallen by 29 per cent (missing adults), and 39 per cent (missing children).

A report by the National Crime Agency, using information from police forces around the country, showed there were 833 calls to NYP over missing adults in 2014/15 compared with 590 last year, and 2,189 calls about missing children in 2014/15 compared with 1,345 last year.

The majority of missing people reported to NYP were female (1,120 to 812 males), and the majority of missing people were considered at Medium risk (1,383), then Low (399), and High (155), and 39.8 per cent of those reported as missing had a history of going missing.

Joe Apps, head of the NCA’s UK Missing Persons Bureau said: “This is the most comprehensive missing persons data report that we have published. We are working continuously with police forces to improve recording practices and computer systems.

“New police guidance, due for publication this autumn, will provide clarity around definitions and risk categories and should lead to further improvements.”