Police in the Highlands recently dealt with 32 missing people over a single weekend, sparking calls for a rethink on how local public services should tackle mental health issues.
A police spokesman confirmed the figures were revealed during a recent briefing to local councillors.
Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson, who was at the meeting, said: “The point police made is that 32 missing people all went missing at a weekend and it completely monopolized the local police force. “They quoted that the duty inspector was totally tied up with two vulnerable people who were missing.
“The public should realise how resources are being drained because of vulnerable people going missing. Let’s look for a solution. We need the ‘wraparound care’ and a total collaboration between every public service so we are really committed to reducing this and solving it.
“How are we treating the mental health of people and are we really all embracing and out to love our neighbour?
“I think we need all of the agencies together from schools to NHS. All these people are out missing at the weekend and that’s when people are needing our help.”
The figures were revealed by Chief Superintendent George MacDonald, the new north divisional commander, and Superintendent Phillip MacRae, at briefing to councillors on local police and fire service plans on September 5.
Police across the Highlands and Islands division had to deal with 32 missing people between 6pm on Friday, September 1 and 7am on Monday, September 4.
Ch Supt MacDonald recently revealed that north police are having to help a vulnerable adult get help every two-and-a-half hours – nine incidents a day – on average.
He said that the issue was becoming a “massive challenge” for the force.
He added that they are now dealing with numerous incidents on a daily basis and that some of that is because police have a better understanding about the risks of adult and child protection.