Disparities in Missing Persons Cases: The Stories of Steven Durand and Richard Okorogheye

The cases of Steven Durand and Richard Okorogheye highlight significant concerns regarding police responses to missing persons, particularly among Black and mixed-race individuals in the UK. Both families have expressed dissatisfaction with the police handling of their cases, alleging discrimination and inadequate urgency in the investigations.

The Independent

Christine Durand reported her son Steven missing on October 19, 2018, after he failed to return home from his sister's flat. Despite his mental health challenges, the police misidentified his ethnicity twice, describing him as white instead of mixed-race. Research by the charity Missing People indicates that only 31% of missing Black individuals and 35% of missing Asian individuals are found, compared to 39% of white individuals. This disparity raises questions about systemic bias in police investigations.

The Independent

Similarly, Richard Okorogheye went missing on March 22, 2021, and was later found dead. His mother, Evidence Joel, reported that police did not treat her concerns with urgency, describing the investigation as a "disaster." She alleged that officers dismissed her worries, stating, "Don’t worry, he’ll come back home."

The Independent

Both families have voiced strong criticisms of the police. Christine Durand believes that her son could have been found if the investigation had been handled better, stating, "Everything I asked the police to do, they did the opposite." Evidence Joel echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the police's lack of urgency was influenced by discrimination. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found several failures in the police's handling of Richard's case but did not conclude that race was a factor in the delays.

The Independent

Lancashire Constabulary conducted an internal investigation into Christine Durand's complaints but found "insufficient evidence" of discrimination. However, they did apologize for misidentifying Steven's ethnicity. In response to the IOPC's findings, the Metropolitan Police acknowledged that the service provided to Evidence Joel was "not at a level the public would expect." Both police forces have stated that they are implementing changes to improve their response to missing persons cases.

The Independent

The experiences of the Durand and Okorogheye families reflect broader issues of trust between minority communities and law enforcement. Josie Allan from Missing People noted that many families feel discriminated against due to their race, suggesting that "underlying systemic bias" affects police responses. The lack of confidence in police investigations can deter families from seeking help in future cases, potentially leading to more prolonged missing persons situations.

The Independent

In light of these cases, Missing People has launched the SafeCall service, a national lifeline aimed at supporting the 72,000 children who go missing in the UK each year. This initiative seeks to address the gaps in support for vulnerable individuals and improve the overall response to missing persons cases.

The Independent

• “I just feel like they’ve not cared at all, like I’ve been left on the shelf,” — Christine Durand, Mother of Steven Durand

The Independent

• “I felt the whole thing was governed by discrimination and racism,” — Evidence Joel, Mother of Richard Okorogheye

The Independent

• “the evidence did not indicate that any delay in upgrading Richard’s risk level was due to his or Ms Joel’s race” — IOPC Report

The Independent

These narratives underscore the urgent need for reform in how police handle missing persons cases, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities.

The Independent