The lasting effect on families and friends of a missing loved one with the theme Without Them will be highlighted during this year’s National Missing Persons Week.
Police Minister Mark Ryan and Commissioner Katarina Carroll acknowledged the important role the community plays in helping safely locate a missing person, as law enforcement nationally appeals to the public for information during this National Missing Persons Week from 31 July to 6 August.
“In 2021 more than 53,000 people were reported missing in Australia,’’ Mr Ryan said.
“During National Missing Persons Week, I encourage people to reflect on the fact that behind the statistics, behind the police appeals, are real people who remain missing.
“I encourage anyone with information about a person’s disappearance to contact police as all it takes is one person to recognise a photo or even someone reported missing to come forward, which has the potential to resolve an investigation and lead to much-needed answers for families and friends.”
Commissioner Carroll said, on average, 25 people were reported missing to police every day in Queensland with 98 per cent located within the first 48 hours, often thanks to information from the public.
“There are many reasons why people go missing and, while thankfully most of those reported to us are located quickly, we never forget those whose whereabouts remains unknown and the devastating impact this has on family and friends,” she said.
“It is estimated that for every missing person reported to police, at least 12 people are affected.
“Finding the missing person and being able to provide answers to their families remains a priority for Queensland Police, working alongside the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and agency partners.”
There are currently 394 people in Queensland on the long-term missing persons’ register of those missing for more than three months. Of these, many were reported as lost at sea. A missing person’s report remains active until the person is found.
National Missing Persons Week is coordinated by the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and aims to generate publicity for missing persons issues.
For more information on this year’s campaign visit: withoutthem.com.au
For information on Queensland’s long-term missing persons register, visit missingpersons.gov.au/search/postcode/queensland
