Help locate missing veterans, service personnel, and blue-light workers, when it matters most.
Beacon Alert is the name we give to the public appeal for information, when a member of the armed forces, and emergency services communities goes missing and is at risk. Through the power of social media, our alerts reach hundreds of thousands in hours, increasing the chances of a safe return.
Join the Beacon Alert Community
Every day, veterans and emergency workers face unique challenges, from mental health struggles to feeling disconnected. When someone goes missing, we step in to raise awareness and guide the public in supporting safe resolutions.
How You Can Help:
- Share Alerts: Follow us on social media and spread the word when someone goes missing.
- Stay Informed: Join our WhatsApp broadcast for updates and resources.
Key Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Beacon Alert?
A Beacon Alert is the name we give to the public appeal for information when a veteran or member of the armed forces community goes missing, and is believed to be at risk. In 2025, we added ‘Beacon Alert: Blue Light’ to our service offering, to support the growing number of front-line emergency services workers going missing.
On average, Beacon Alerts reach between 1.5 million and 5 million people, with over half a million reached within the first 24 hours of an alert, where it has been proven to be most effective. By joining this community you are contributing to the safe return of missing persons in a real and tangible way; not to mention, helping shine a spotlight on mental health support for the armed forces and blue light communities.
Who can request a Beacon Alert?
Anyone who is concerned about a missing veteran, service person or emergency services worker can request an alert. You can learn more about how to do this via our Reporting a Missing Person page. Please remember, Beacon Alert is NOT an emergency service. Always report a missing person to the police. If you believe they, or anyone else is at risk, do it via 999.
Is Beacon Alert GDPR Compliant?
Yes, Beacon Alert is GDPR-compliant. Under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, we lawfully process personal data under exemptions for public interest journalism (Article 85 GDPR), vital interests (Article 6(1)(d)), and public interest (Article 6(1)(e)). As our service aims to protect life and reduce the risk of suicide or self-harm, we are legally permitted to share missing persons’ details where necessary. Additionally, where relevant, we cooperate with law enforcement under the crime prevention exemption (DPA 2018, Schedule 1, Part 2, Paragraph 10).
We ensure data is processed responsibly, securely, and only for as long as needed to fulfil this life-saving purpose. Data subjects can request the removal of their information at any time. Beacon Alert have also created a set of protocols for removing data related to missing persons, after they have been found and deemed safe. We refer to this as a ‘Right to be forgotten‘.
Beacon Alert is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office: Registration Reference ZB866314
Do you work with the emergency services?
Yes, we do. Beacon Alert works closely with the police and emergency services to ensure that relevant information reaches the authorities handling a missing persons case. Our goal is to increase the flow of critical information to those leading the search, improving the chances of a safe outcome.
We ask that all Beacon Alerts be reported to the police before we share information, and we require a police reference number to verify the case. However, in certain urgent situations, we may launch an alert without this if we have strong reason to believe the case has been reported and that any delay in sharing information could increase the risk of harm to the missing person.