MISSING? PLEASE PHONE HOME

Missing persons are encouraged to make contact this Christmas and to phone home to help alleviate the distress caused to family and friends left in the dark.

The message to phone home is part of a national campaign by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and state and territory police agencies to reconnect missing persons with someone they trust.

AFP National Manager Economic and Special Operations Peter Drennan said about two thirds of the 30,000 people reported missing each year are under the age of 18.

“Others are elderly and may be incapable of finding their way home,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Drennan said Christmas was a time of reconnection.

“The best gift families and friends could wish for is to know that their missing loved one is safe and well.

"This does not necessarily mean that the missing person has to physically return home.

“Rather we'd just like them to tell someone they know and that they trust, that they are okay."

More than 99.5 percent of people reported missing are located within a short period of time.

But some 1,600 people have been missing in Australia for more than six months.
For more information, call the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre on 1800 000 634.

You can also visit the website www.afp.gov.au/national/missing