Leicestershire Search And Rescue

Leicestershire Search and Rescue (LeicSAR) is a lowland search and rescue unit operating throughout Leicestershire and Rutland. LeicSAR is a non-profit organisation and a registered charity (number 1150100) consisting entirely of volunteers. 

Our primary role is to assist the Police in the search for vulnerable missing persons in urban, rural and lowland areas. This includes children, the elderly or those who are suffering from an illness, whether physical or mental (for example, people suffering from dementia, depression, or with mental health issues).  

We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our joint objective with the Police is to get search teams out as soon as we possibly can in order to maximise the chances of locating the missing person safe and well. 

All unit members are trained to recognised standards approved by our national governing body Lowland Rescue in the following areas: 

● Search techniques;  

● Missing person characteristics; 

● First aid; 

● Navigation; 

● Communications.  

Our members attend twice-monthly training sessions to remain competent and can progress within the unit if they choose, by going on to more advanced training as a Team Leader or Search Manager/Planner. 

We also have a bike team and a total of 4 fully qualified, operational Search Dogs, with three more in training.

LeicSAR receives no statutory funding and relies solely on donations, grants and sponsorship from the local community and businesses, as well as our own fundraising activities, in order to remain operational.  

 In addition to our primary search and rescue role, we provide marshals and first aid cover at many private and community events. An increasing number of team members are also becoming qualified as Community First Responders (CFRs), enabling us to support East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) in providing life-saving emergency cover to individuals in the Leicester area.