Londoner launches site to ‘amplify the voices’ of missing black people

Dominic Norton regularly updates the platform with the latest cases
Dominic Norton

An organisation aimed at raising awareness of missing black people, who are disappearing in disproportionate numbers across England and Wales, has been launched.

The platform 'Missing Black People' was inspired by the “disheartening” figures which show members of the community are four times more likely to be reported as missing.

Black people accounted for 14 per cent of missing people in England and Wales between 2019 and 2020, over four times their relative population, according to new data from the National Crime Agency.

In London they accounted for 36 per cent of missing people, nearly three times their population in the city.

Founder of 'Missing Black People' Dominic Norton, 26, told the Standard the platform is dedicated to “amplifying the voices of black families who have lost their loved ones.”

The platform features dozens of cases from across the UK
Missing Black People

The platform features dozens of cases from across the UK including London, Birmingham, East Sussex and Harrow.

Newham-based Mr Norton said: “If I went missing today my mum wouldn't know how to approach the newspapers and get them to run a story and most parents may not be on social media so they could struggle to get the word out that way too.

“I also feel there is a lack of media coverage on people from our community - it's almost as though if it hasn’t already got attention on social media then it won’t be covered.

“But I hope the platform can help with this and hopefully if a family came to us and said, ‘We want to get the case out there’ we will be able to help them ensure the word gets out.”

‘Missing Black People’ also has a page of resources to support families including how to best contact local MPs with any concerns on child safety and who exactly is representing boroughs across London.

Mr Norton said he hoped to engage with schools through workshops and use the site to educate and empower members of the community.

Another feature that could be added to the website is a map showcasing the areas where young people are frequently going missing.

The 26-year-old also launched a petition calling for a public inquiry into the causes surrounding missing Black people which has gathered more than 14,000 signatures.

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