SWINDON MURDERS: Thousands go missing from Wiltshire (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON MURDERS: Thousands go missing from Wiltshire

11:00am Tuesday 12th April 2011 in News

THOUSANDS of people across the county are reported missing every year, according to UK charity Missing People.

Figures released by the charity showed there were 3,371 missing incidents reported last year in Wiltshire equalling around five incidents per 1,000 population, with the county population standing at 654,925.

It was on the website of its predecessor, the National Missing Persons Helpline that Becky’s mother Karen Edwards posted a message in an attempt to get in touch with her daughter again.

A spokesman for the charity said: “The thoughts of staff and volunteers at Missing People are with the family and friends of Becky, during what must be an incredibly difficult time.

“Around 250,000 people go missing in the UK each year and thankfully most are found safely and relatively quickly.

“Only a tiny per cent of all people reported missing are discovered to be fatal disappearances relating to a crime.

“In these situations, the identification of a body can at least offer closure for the missing person’s family and hopefully end the heartache of not knowing.

“As this is no longer a missing person’s investigation, the charity feels it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said missing persons were categorised by the level of risk, which went some way to explaining the difference in response to Becky’s disappearance than that of Sian O’Callaghan.

She said: “The missing person appeal that are sent out to the media are what are called high risk.

“That is the family has given express permission and it would be things like it being totally out of character, they might be vulnerable or have a medical condition.”