KINGSTON GATE ::: Missing person found and returned home safely today.

Whilst on routine patrols today, officers' had their attentions raised by a young male close to YORK ROAD, Kingston. 

The male appeared to be hidden behind a bush in a rather secluded part of the road, so this raised some alarms as to what was happening.

When approached the male appeared dehydrated, exhausted and was hesitant to engage with officers but after making conversation, building rapports and conducting checks, we were alerted to the fact that he had been reported as a missing person a few days prior but that he was no longer listed as being missing. 

However this did not sit right with us, and his repeated movements and failure to keep still made us delve deeper into his situation. After 20 minutes of speaking with the young male and then his guardian, we were made aware that he was not a local resident and learnt of another vulnerability- English not being his first language, his age and that he has autism, officers were not happy to allow the male to find his own way home and escorted him home. 

Although his guardian was happy for him to make his way home alone, we made the safeguarding decision to take him home and to advise his care giver of the behaviours we had witnessed.

They were extremely grateful…  we think the young male was extra grateful for the water & sandwich that was provided.