We’ve released the first annual Beacon Alert Insights Report, covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
This comprehensive document takes a deep dive into the data from Beacon Alerts in a 12 month time period, giving us a clear picture of the patterns, risks, and outcomes affecting missing veterans and serving armed forces personnel in the UK.
While the dataset is specific to the alerts we were able to verify and share, the findings are significant and highlight both successes and urgent areas for improvement.
Key Findings
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50 confirmed alerts during the reporting period: an average of one every 7.3 days.
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14% fatality rate, which is 14 times higher than in the general missing persons population (less than 1%).
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Average age of those missing: 46 years, with the majority in the 40–60 age range.
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Gender split: 90% male, 10% female, reflecting UK veteran population demographics.
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Most common time missing: 1 day, highlighting the importance of speed in search and rescue efforts.
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Majority of cases located in England (86%), with Scotland (12%) and Wales (2%) making up the rest.
A Foundation for Change
This report is not an exhaustive list of all armed forces members who went missing during the year, nor does it capture every possible mental health–related death. It reflects only the cases we know about, those brought to us through police appeals or with the permission of family and friends.
However, even within these limitations, there is enough evidence worrying patterns. By establishing this annual report, we now have a baseline to measure progress and to advocate for policy and procedural changes to protect those who have served.
The full Beacon Alert Insights Report 2024–2025 is available now as a free download.
It includes detailed breakdowns by outcome, age, gender, time missing, and geographic region, along with comparisons to national missing persons data and recommendations for change.
More support is needed for serving services and veterans, especially while transitioning.
Completely agree Sarah, thank you for reading and for your comment.
I , amongst others, are outraged by the way our veterans are, as usual, overlooked by the government. It is DISGUSTING that have to rely on charity when they have been, and are going through so much. Far to many have, and are, struggling with they went through. Whenever a missing veteran comes up on Beacon Alert I ALWAYS share, as do so many others, in the hope there is a good outcome. The government should hang their heads in shame and be made accountable!
Thank you Denise, I can see you’re passionate on this subject and rightly angry with the level of service offered through official channels. Let’s hope with continued pressure, we can improve this for everyone involved. Thank you for reading and for your comment.
one of the biggest problem I have found when trying to address the problems I am faced with 99.99 percent of all sign posting one is given
Plus all the promises made mean absolutely nothing so for all those with various issues and on top of this trust issues and that trust is broken as it will be
Then you are left with an uphill battle