Keynsham -based WPC Software , a leading supplier of computer software to the emergency services, has developed a state-of-the-art system to help police track down missing people.

The IMPACT (Intelligent Missing Persons and Case Tracking) system, which WPC Software developed in collaboration with the Gloucestershire Constabulary, is being used by half a dozen UK police forces.

Police in Nottinghamshire, where more than 150 people go missing each month, are the latest to have IMPACT installed to speed up the process of investigating and recording missing persons cases.

Officers can access and share information about a missing person at the click of a button using IMPACT and are able to carry out a risk assessment on everyone who disappears. Each individual is ranked as high, medium or low risk and the person who reports them missing is told how much priority the police are giving the report. IMPACT also builds up case histories of people who go missing frequently, providing officers with valuable information instantaneously.

Details of missing person cases had previously been filed on paper which is more time-consuming and can delay potentially important door-to-door inquiries. About 2,000 officers have already been trained to use IMPACT, just one of a range of innovative computer systems developed by WPC Software.

Marcus Beale, Acting Assistant Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police said: "Having a loved one go missing can obviously be a traumatic time for family and friends and we want to give them as much support as possible, and of course trace the missing person quickly and make sure their safety is not at risk.

"IMPACT is very efficient, easy to use and alerts officers to any outstanding actions that need to be carried out. It makes the whole procedure of trying to trace someone who has been reported missing more accountable."

Hi-tech systems developed by WPC Software, which is based in Wellsway, are now used by two thirds of the UK 's police forces.

Managing director Alan Walker said: " More than 250,000 people a year are reported missing in England alone. This places a massive workload on police investigating such cases. IMPACT reduces the amount of time officers spend tracing missing people and, hopefully, the time it takes to reunite them with their family and friends."