Kent Police Appeal for Information on Missing Chatham Man Dean Harrold

What Officers Have Said

The appeal was posted by Kent Police via their official X account and directed the public to further information on the force’s website. The appeal specifically seeks critical information — a term indicating that police are asking members of the public to report any sightings or knowledge of Harrold’s current whereabouts without delay.

The reference number 19-1312 has been provided to ensure that any information passed to the force is correctly logged and linked to the specific missing person inquiry. Kent Police have not, in the published appeal, disclosed further details about Harrold’s description, age, or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance beyond confirming that he has been reported missing from Chatham.

The Wider Picture on Missing Persons

Chatham is a large town within the Medway unitary authority, which sits within the broader Kent policing area. When Kent Police assess a missing person case as carrying potential risk, they routinely issue public appeals through official channels including social media and their force website, in line with national guidance from the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

According to data from the UK Missing Persons Unit, part of the National Crime Agency, police forces across England and Wales recorded around 289,000 missing person incidents in the year ending 31 March 2023. That figure reflects episodes rather than unique individuals — the same unit recorded around 75,000 unique missing persons in the same period, indicating that some individuals are reported missing on more than one occasion. The unit’s data also shows that roughly 80 to 90 per cent of missing person incidents in England and Wales are resolved within 24 to 48 hours, though outcomes vary considerably depending on the circumstances of each case.

Local Context

Residents in Chatham and the wider Medway area may observe increased police activity or enquiries in the coming hours and days as officers work to trace Harrold. Public appeals of this nature form a standard part of missing person investigations, extending the reach of police enquiries into local communities and enabling members of the public to contribute directly to the search.

No family statements have been included in the published appeal, and no further details about Harrold’s personal circumstances have been confirmed by the force at this stage.

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Key Takeaways

• Kent Police have issued a public appeal for information about Dean Harrold, who has been reported missing from Chatham in the Medway area of Kent.
• Anyone with critical information about his whereabouts is asked to call 999 immediately and quote reference 19-1312 when speaking to officers.
• The use of the 999 emergency line in the appeal indicates that police have assessed the case as presenting concern for Harrold’s welfare.

Further Information for Kent Residents

Residents in Chatham and across the Medway area are asked to report any relevant sightings or information without delay. Anyone who believes they have seen Dean Harrold, or who holds information that could assist officers in locating him, should call 999 and quote reference number 19-1312. Those wishing to find out more about the appeal can visit the Kent Police website for further details.