The influx of missing children reports are worrying police.
This follows after 14-year-old Nikita Angelique Bekker was found last Friday, 6 March after going missing in January. Nikita was found in Durban, the Point Police Station confirmed.
Colonel Verna van Staden, who works with the missing children files at the Krugersdorp Police said their office easily gets up to five reports or more a month, and according to her this is abnormal.
“Parents need to become actively involved in their children’s lives as well as their comings and goings.”
Van Staden said in many cases after the children are found it is detected that most have been using some sort of drugs or alcohol, but that it is not always the case.
She said parents need to show more effort as children will look for love at the strangest places.
“Get to know your child. A change in your children’s behavior is already an indication of a child crying out for attention.”
Also a change in a child’s academic performance should not be taken lightly.
“If this happens ask a teacher at the school about their behavior as teachers will be able to give parents more accurate information about their children.”
Another concern is when parents drop their children off at places such as shopping centres.
“Make sure they are going to do what they told you. Get a number from a parent to confirm that they know about the children’s plans and also a contact number for your child’s friend in case something should happen.”
She said it is known that children will tell you they will be going to the shopping centre to watch a move for instance, but then instead gets involved with drugs and alcohol.
Van Staden said it is even a better option to meet with the parents of your child’s friends.
“In many cases that we have received, children said they will be staying over at a friend, but then this never happens. Make sure it was confirmed with the friend’s parents and also that you know where your child is at all times.”
Parents should also pay attention to their children’s cell phone usage and need to show interest with who they are talking to if they suddenly are using their phone more than required.
Van Staden concludes that regular family photos should be taken as recent photos of missing children and adults will make the search easier.
• Remember that there is no waiting period to report a person missing at the police or by phoning the sector police numbers.
