“Over 6.6 billion people, across 57,268,900 square miles, speaking 6500 different languages... Where do you start looking?”

Since the disappearance of Lucie Blackman in Japan in 2000, The Lucie Blackman Trust has assisted many other families of missing relatives and has now established Missing Abroad to provide the unique expertise, practical help, advice and support gained by Lucie’s family.

Drawing on this experience, Missing Abroad is the first point of contact for families suddenly confronted with the unthinkable, providing access to both knowledge and, where possible, finance to ensure that every effort can be made to find the person as quickly as possible. Since its inception in mid 2008, inspired by Lucie's family's experiences and the difficulties in getting media coverage for Amy Fitzpatrick, Missing Abroad's dedicated team has successfully completed a number of cases.

Missing Abroad's invaluable services have allowed it expand dramatically in 2010-2011, and is able to support families who find themselves in a number of horrific situations. Alongside its continual work with families of a Missing Person, Missing Abroad assists in Homicide Overseas, Accidental Death Overseas, Abduction and Hostage cases, and offers advice and support for a huge variety of crises that befall British Citizens whilst travelling overseas. Support is available to attend court proceedings, rescue a family member who urgently needs bringing back to the UK and much more.

The close links and partnerships Missing Abroad has with governments, police and other authorities both in the UK and worldwide allows it to deliver a fast responsive service - support when it  is needed most.

Missing Abroad Operations Manager Matt Searle sits on the FCO's Consular Stakeholder Panel, which advises the government on Foreign Policy. Missing Abroad was also recognised as a Commissioned Service Provider to the National Homicide Victim Service, helping families who suffer a murder overseas.