Rail network calls on public to help as it reveals 170,000 people reported missing each year

A railway company has announced a new partnership to help the Missing People charity, as figures revealed 170,000 people are reported missing every year in the UK. 

From now until the end of January, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will be using its Wi-Fi network- used by more than five million passengers each week – to increase the visibility of individuals who have been missing for more than a year.

Customers logging into Wi-Fi onboard Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express trains will see a different missing person on their devices each week on the South London train lines.

According to GTR, one person goes missing every 90 seconds in the UK – that could be up to 40 people in a single rush hour or daily commute. 

GTR’s safeguarding and well-being manager, Laura Campbell, said that working closely with Missing People is key for the network after seeing a “concerning” 20 per cent month-on-month increase in cases of vulnerable people at stations this year.

Paul Joseph, head of helpline at Missing People, said: “As the clocks go back and the days become darker, there’s even more concern for people who are missing or at risk of going missing. 

“Our aim with GTR is to provide as much awareness and support to these people as possible in the lead up to winter across one of the key modes of transport that people use to go missing.”

A spokeswoman from GTR said: “Anyone who is affected by someone going missing or is thinking of going missing can contact Missing People on 116 000.”

Pictured top: Footsteps at London Blackfriars Station mark GTR’s new partnership with Missing People (Picture: GTR)