Leah Croucher is one of dozens of people still missing in the police force area that covers Milton Keynes

More than 7,700 of these were children.

Since then, the majority of these missing individuals have been found. Sadly, Leah, whose name is now known to everyone in MK and further afield, is not one of them.

According to the latest figures released from the National Crime Agency (NCA) Police forces across the UK reported hundreds of thousands of missing person incidents.

In England and Wales there were over 320,000 missing person incidents and over 158,000 individuals reported missing over the past year.

Despite the alarming figures, thousands of cases still remain unsolved, with the families of missing people and charities believing more can be done to tackle the problem.

Missing People charity said there needs to be more of a multi-agency response to prevent vulnerable people from further missing episodes.

A National Register of Missing Persons is currently being developed by the Home Office to improve understanding of missing incidents and to help data sharing across police forces.

The NCA confirmed to the Data Unit that the number of missing people has been increasing since they started collecting and publishing figures but pointed out that the year-on-year increases started to level off in the 2017-2018 year.

The majority of missing people are found within 24 hours, there are 4,638 long term missing people throughout the UK whose fate is largely unknown.

And there is very limited public information about who these people are. This is for a variety of reasons including privacy and safety concerns.

A National Register of Missing Persons (NRMP) is currently in development, overseen by the Home Office and expected to be delivered in 2023.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said the NRMP will “significantly improve” their understanding of missing person incidents.

The Home Office said it will allow all forces in the UK to manually record missing and associated found incidents, and to access data about missing people from other force areas.

The spokesperson added: “It is vital that the police have access to fast and accurate data and intelligence that can be shared between forces.”

Jane Hunter, Senior Research and Impact Manager at Missing People charity said, “Whilst police rightly take the lead on investigations into disappearances, we’d like to see the return of a missing person as a moment that activates a multi-agency response, to identify which support measures should be put in place to safeguard and prevent further missing episodes.”

Joe Apps, Head of the UK Missing Persons Unit at the National Crime Agency, added, “We continue to work with partners in law enforcement and the voluntary sector to identify risk, safeguard vulnerable people and support families and friends.”

From abduction to suicide, there are many complex reasons as to why a person goes missing.

Analysis of the NCA data found mental health was the leading cause of 18-59 year olds going missing, while dementia (including Alzheimers) was the leading cause of over 60s going missing. Relationships were the most common cause for children going missing.

The data also revealed more reported incidents involved men and boys than women and girls.

“Behind these figures are individual people, who may be experiencing mental health crises, problems where they live, exploitation, domestic violence, or a range of other issues,” explained Ms Hunter.

“And we must not forget those left behind, desperately searching for answers to their loved one’s whereabouts. While figures show that most people will thankfully return within a week, going missing should be seen as a warning sign, that something is seriously wrong and that support must be available upon their return.”

Ms Hunter added, “Having a loved one go missing can be traumatic, no matter how long they are away. Families may experience ‘ambiguous loss’, a very difficult type of loss where the outcome is unknown and closure isn’t possible. Missing People provides 24/7 support for families struggling with a disappearance.”

Joe Apps, Head of the UK Missing Persons Unit at the National Crime Agency, said: “There are a vast array of reasons for people to go missing, and it can be prompted by almost anything in someone’s life. This ranges from a personal decision to escape family or financial worries, to being a victim of county lines gangs or child sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Around 80 per cent of missing people were found in less than 24 hours. Children are more likely to be return of their own accord or be found by parents, families and carers than by the police. In contrast, adults are less likely to return on their own and more are found by the police than by their community. Elderly people living with dementia who go missing present the highest risk.

“We continue to work with partners in law enforcement and the voluntary sector to identify risk, safeguard vulnerable people and support families and friends”

Since we have been collecting and publishing figures on missing people, the number of missing people has been increasing. The year-on-year increases started to level off in the 2017-2018 year.

Due to changes in recording processes over the years, comparisons between the annual figures should not be made as different definitions have been applied over the years.

Jane Hunter, Senior Research and Impact Manager at Missing People charity said: “People going missing remains a significant issue in the UK, with someone being reported every 90 seconds. Behind these figures are individual people, who may be experiencing mental health crisis, problems where they live, exploitation, domestic violence, or a range of other issues. And we must not forget those left behind, desperately searching for answers of their loved one’s whereabouts. And while figures show that most people will thankfully return within a week, going missing should be seen as a warning sign, that something is seriously wrong and that support must be available upon their return.”

She added: “We are pleased that a National Register of Missing Persons is in development, overseen by the Home Office. We hope that this will improve consistency, particularly for those who may be missing in areas away from home. We hope that better recording of repeat missing episodes will inform safeguarding and future responses for that person. Whilst police rightly take the lead on investigations into disappearances, we’d like to see the return of a missing person as a moment that activates a multi-agency response, to identify which support measures should be put in place to safeguard and prevent further missing episodes.”

The families of missing people, as testified by Leah's parents, John and Claire Croucher, commonly go through hell while they are desperately waiting for news.

“Having a loved one go missing can be traumatic, no matter how long they are away, said Jane.

"Families may experience ‘ambiguous loss’, a very difficult type of loss where the outcome is unknown and closure isn’t possible. Missing People provides 24/7 support for families struggling with a disappearance. A helpline operated by trained staff and volunteers is open round the clock to listen, and offer emotional and practical help during this very unique experience. For those whose loved ones remain missing for a long time, assistance in managing their affairs may be needed. The charity successfully campaigned for the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act to come into law in 2018, whereby family members can apply to take ownership of their missing loved one’s finances.”

What can be done to stop people from going missing in the first place?

“We would like to see more proactive multi-agency working to support people who might be at risk of going missing, particularly for those who have been missing before. Organisations working with individuals should work to understand why that person went missing and any steps that can be taken to support them with what's happening in their life. We also know that many of those who go missing will be experiencing mental health issues, and that it can be challenging to access mental health support due to high thresholds and long waiting lists. At Missing People, we are here to support anyone thinking about going missing, to listen and talk to them, and to help them to stay safe.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are working with policing colleagues to deliver a National Register of Missing Persons (NMRP) as part of the new Law Enforcement Data Service. The register will significantly improve our understanding of the scale and nature of missing incidents across the UK.

“It is vital that the police have access to fast and accurate data and intelligence that can be shared between forces.”

The NRMP will allow all forces in the UK to manually record missing and associated found incidents, and to access data about missing people from other force areas. It is expected to be delivered in 2023.

Leah Croucher was 19 when she vanished suddenly and without trace on the morning of February 15 2019.

You can read the timeline of her disappearance here.