MISSING Persons Week will be held from this Sunday, August 2 until Saturday, August 8 and for the first time in a long while Nowra police have no current outstanding missing persons cases.
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Acting Shoalhaven Local Area Command crime manager Detective Acting Inspector Simon Shalala said while the area had a couple of historical long-standing cases, the area did not have any new missing persons cases.
The focus for this year’s Missing Persons Week is “Follow Your Instincts”.
The campaign urges people to follow their instincts and report missing persons.
“Anyone who may have any information about a missing person is urged to contact police,” Acting Inspector Shalala said.
He said people can go missing for a number of reasons – such as mental illness, economic or social problems.
“As police, we are always looking for positive outcomes when it comes to missing persons cases and any little piece of information can help.”
Likewise, he said anyone who was listed as a missing person could contact police, who would notify family members that they were all right.
“Just contact someone, be it the police or family members and let them know you are OK,” he said.
Anyone with any information about a missing person can contact Nowra Police on 4421 9699, the NSW Missing Persons Unit on 8835 7656 or the toll free number 1800 025 091 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
• An estimated 35,000 people are reported missing to police each year – that’s one person every 15 minutes.
• 99.5 per cent of people are located – 85 per cent within a week of being reported missing.
• Approximately two-thirds of missing persons are under the age of 18 (around 20,000).
• Many young missing persons are located at a friend’s house.
• Stranger abductions are rare – most people are located safe and well.
• People go missing for a number of reasons – whether voluntarily or involuntary.
• Approximately one-third of missing persons go missing more than once.