A SWINDON MP is hoping to improve provision for families of missing people after Kate McCann claimed burglary victims are treated better than those with missing children.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland is part of a parliamentary inquiry into support for families of missing people organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults.

On Monday, Mr Buckland heard from Mrs McCann and Nicki Durbin, whose son, Luke, 19, went missing following a night out in Ipswich five years ago and Sarah Godwin, whose son, Quentin, was 18 when he went missing in New Zealand while on his way to an after-school job on May 20, 1992.

MPs heard how families often felt they were being a nuisance to officers, felt they were treated as if they were wasting police time, and were left in the dark by police.

Forces receive 356,000 reports relating to 200,000 missing people each year – the equivalent of one report every 90 seconds.

Mr Buckland said: “Kate’s case is a very famous one of course, but the two other witnesses spoke about their experiences in a very moving way.

“What shone out was that there is a clear need for a named person within the police to be a point of continuing contact for families needing information and support.

“Families of missing people feel isolated and helpless in far too many cases. Organisations such as Missing People and the Salvation Army do some excellent work in resolving problems, but with a missing person report being made every 90 seconds on average, far too many families are losing out.

“The Government has brought together responsibility for missing persons under one Ministerial post and it was very good to hear the Minister say that he was working with other Government departments to co-ordinate the approach to missing people more effectively, bearing in mind that the reasons as to why people go missing can vary from mental health problems through to criminal activity such as sex trafficking.

“I very much hope that the Inquiry will produce a set of recommendations that will help bring about greater support for families of missing people.”

Appearing before the MPs yesterday Home Office Minister James Brokenshire added: “We are acutely aware of the pain caused when a loved one goes missing and we are working hard to ensure the best arrangements are in place to support families.”

Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokesman said help for families of missing people was “certainly a priority for the Government”.

“We are working hard to ensure that we have the best arrangements in place to support families,” he said.

“From July this year, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency will be taking over responsibility for missing children, with the aim of improving the service for families.”