Missing Persons Week

National Missing Persons Week commences tomorrow (July 31), with this year’s focus being ‘the impact of missing persons on family, friends and the community’.

This message aims to communicate that ‘when someone goes missing more than one person is lost’. Statistics indicate that for every person reported missing, approximately 12 people are directly affected, including family members, friends and work colleagues.

A church service to observe the start of National Missing Persons Week will be hosted by ACT Policing tomorrow (Sunday, 31 July) at All Saints Anglican Church in Canberra commencing at 9.30am. Acting Chief Police Officer David McLean and Superintendent Kylie Flower will deliver readings at the church service.

Booths will be situated in shopping centres around Canberra and will promote the key messages of this year’s Missing Persons campaign. The stalls will be located at Westfield Belconnen (August 1), Westfield Woden (August 2), Tuggeranong Hyperdome (August 3), Gungahlin Marketplace (August 4) and the Canberra Centre (August 5). Merchandise will be available at the stalls for members of the public.

Statistics indicate that an Australian is reported missing every 15 minutes, but 95 per cent are located within six months.

Research shows that many people believe they must wait 24 hours before
they can report someone missing. This is not the case, and ACT Policing is urging the reporting of a missing person as soon as family or loved ones become concerned for their welfare.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]