The Interior Ministry is set to launch a new 'missing person's helpline' - 116000 - which can be used to report a missing or runaway person and where relevant information will be collated for the police.

The new 'missing person's helpline' will use the same number as is already being used in other EU countries like Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal and Rumania.

An additional 'Early Warning System for High Risk Cases' (Sistema de Alerta por Desaparición de Alto Riesgo - SADAR) will also be set up to make sure that appropriate warnings can be provided and the public's collaboration can be sought my means of the media.

The new protocol, signed by the Secretary of State for Security, Antonio Camacho, will aim to improve coordination of local, regional and national police efforts, particularly where minors are involved or when the missing person is considered to be a 'high risk' adult.

Missing minors will always be treated as 'high risk', even if they have run away of their own accord.  In the case of adults, the risk is considered to be high if there is risk of kidnapping or extortion, if they have disappeared without documentation or money, if there is a history of domestic violence, or if the person suffers from any kind of mental or physical disability that could put their life at risk.

If a person's disappearance is classed as 'high risk' Interpol will be alerted immediately, who, in turn, will alert all the possible checkpoints and customs offices to stop them leaving the country.

Furthermore, in an attempt to 'prevent the release of information that could be detrimental to the investigation' an official spokesperson will be assigned to liaise between the police and the media, thus centralising all contact with the missing person's family.

In short, the plan is to 'improve the efficiency' of this type of investigation without overlooking the 'delicate human factor' and 'finding a balance between the interests of the investigation and the family's right to be kept informed'.