A missing person should be everyone’s concern

While Saps is mandated to search for and investigate cases of missing persons, an appeal is made for the local communities and the public at large to assist and prevent persons from going missing, especially children and the elderly.

People go missing for a number of reasons:
1. Children and adults can be kidnapped for ransom.
2. Some people walk out of their homes and lives of their families without telling them, to live elsewhere on the streets.
3. While some, especially the mentally challenged, wander off.
4. Teenagers who encounter difficulties at home often run away.

Police spokesman Captain Petros Mpinge said that regardless of the reason why people go missing, their loved ones and police are anxious to find them.

Here are the following tips on missing persons:
* There is no waiting period to report a person as missing.
* The sooner you report a missing person to the police, the sooner they can assist you in searching for them.
* Provide as much information to police when reporting the case.
* Make sure to have a most recent clear picture of the missing person.
* Make a point of remembering the clothing they were wearing.
* Children, the elderly and mentally challenged persons must at no time be left unattended.
* Always keep your family informed of your routine or where you may be going.
* Parents can keep a list of their children’s friends.
* Keep your children close to you when out shopping, or rather leave them at home with a trusted person if possible.
* Activate or install tracking applications on their devices to make it easier for police to locate them.
* Be aware of people who seem lost or disorientated, but be careful about approaching them.
* Call your local security company or police to assist.
* Be observant of youngsters hiking with luggage or backpacks.
* Rather err on the side of caution and report it to police.

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