North Sussex Search Team part of Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Search

Almost anyone! You do need to be fit and able bodied and pass the standard police checks.

Searching is nothing like a walk in the country. For a start you should be prepared for quite a lot of hanging around, waiting while search areas are defined and Team leaders get their briefing from the Police.  Searchers are designated to search precisely defined areas, and much of the searching is done by a team doing what is called a line search. You do not go around obstacles. You generally have to search these areas too. Much of the work is conducted slowly and methodically. You could be searching in adverse weather for up to eight hours.

Yes. The basic training is for a total of about 7 or 8 hours and focuses on why we search and how we search. Also a brief introduction to map reading.

Additional training is available to team leaders and first aiders:

• Communications and radio procedures. One person in each team will be given a radio so they can keep in touch and receive instructions
• First Aid - Useful in all walks of life

You need a stout pair of walking boots and it's a good idea to have a set of waterproofs, a spare set of socks and then it's what you will feel most comfortable wearing. Gaiters are also a good idea.

When volunteers have completed their basic training the police will issue you with a reflective yellow vest and an identity badge. These are to be worn on call outs only.

It's a very good idea to prepare a 'go bag' ready and packed with all you will need. This is usually a good sized and comfortable to carry ruck sack or holdall that contains your boots, a change of clothing, a set of waterproofs. You also need a stout stick for poking around in the undergrowth.  Other items such as gloves, a torch and a compass are often useful. 

Most people include something to eat on the hoof - cereal bars, chocolate, flask, bottled water are all recommended.  Remember that if the search goes on for a few hours the police will try to arrange to feed you something and provide you with tea or coffee, but this will often take a while to organise and is not their first priority! 

By a text message to your mobile phone.

No. We only search in daylight.  We will call you at a reasonable hour.  Night-time searches would be done by other specialist groups such as SusSAR.

Absolutely not. Searchers are volunteers and sometimes it might not be convenient for you to attend. If you can't attend because of another commitment you just say "No" - we will not think any the less of you. There will be other times when you are called when you can attend.

This depends. The rendezvous point could be anywhere within Mid or North Sussex and if it is a big search we might be asked to join in elsewhere in the County, or even adjoining Counties.

Transport will be provided by the Police from the rendezvous point to the actual search area and back again.

At present the opportunities are limited. However, we are building our network of contacts in other force areas and with other voluntary search organisations. If, for example, the Surrey police needed people for a search and they requested our support, there is no reason in principle why we should not call upon our volunteers, especially those in the North of the County, (and vice versa). We would like to think that we would assist our Hampshire and Kent colleagues in a similar way.

It is difficult to say; there is no simple answer! Our most successful search was concluded almost before it began!  Most searches will last all day (see the next answer on "cut-off point") and some may stretch into days if there is a large area to be searched.  The Police will continually re-assess the need for a search in the light of information so it will be a dynamic situation.

Taking part in one day of a longer search does NOT commit you to remaining on this search on subsequent days.  You decide how much time you can offer.

Searchers will be stood down after a maximum period of about eight hours.  Time will have been spent on activities such as assembly,  briefing, breaks and debriefing so the actual time spent searching will be only a proportion of this.

The Police will decide when to call off or suspend a search depending upon information available to them.

See also the answer to the FAQ on "How long can I expect a Search to last". 

Unfortunately as things stand, no. The service you provide is strictly offered as a volunteer.

There is certainly a small risk that you might.  Training covers what to do in the event of any find, whether or not it has the potential to be unpleasant.  Most of us search in the expectation that we can collectively bring about a happy ending to the case of a vulnerable missing person.  Whether we as an individual actually find anything is almost irrelevant..our very presence allow the ground to be covered and creates the opportunity for a find, or at least gives the Police the certainty that the searched area is clear. 

No. Apart from the basic training you can decide on whether you want to be called out.  However we do require you to attend either searches or exercises within a reasonable period of time (currently 2 years) in order to keep your search skills up to date!

It is difficult to say.  Nothing might happen for months and then there could be two searches within a week.  Sussex Police have become much better in the last couple of years at tracking down vulnerable missing persons in the first few hours and this has reduced the number of potential call-outs.  However it also reduces the number of times we get called out and then stood down before we do anything!

Although sometimes it doesn't feel like it, not being called out is really a "good-news" story.

You will usually be arranged in groups of 6 or 7. Each group will have a Team Leader and a First Aider. Call-out is by SMS message and is done individually. Once you arrive at the RVP transport to the Search site is provided by the Police if necessary.

Retraining is required if you have not been involved in a search for two years.

No. Absolutely not! The police alone will deal with people like this. You will mainly be used to search for missing children and elderly persons. Every situation and location where you might be called in to support the police is subject to a careful risk assessment.

Yes. We are keen to hear from people who would like to support the work of the searchers, especially if you have special skills in these areas.