myPolice QPS News
How staying connected can help your children stay safe.
With almost 4,500 children under the age of 18 reported missing in Queensland in the 2011/2012 financial year, police are urging parents to think ahead in order to keep their children from becoming one of the many reported missing each year.
With a theme of “See the signs before they disappear”, Missing Persons Week 2013 is focused on helping people recognise the warning signs and how to put in place a plan to help protect those who are most at risk from becoming a missing person.
“While most of the children reported missing each year are located safe and well within a short period of time, we do have cases that stretch on for longer. This is understandably traumatic for families involved and in many cases, could have been avoided or prevented,” Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Group said.
Over the last few years the Queensland Police Service has been working with a number of organisations and partner agencies focused on providing and promoting important safety tools and resources.
In 2011 the Queensland Police Service teamed up with 1800 Reverse (1800 738 3773) to promote a campaign aimed at encouraging parents to consider implementing a back-up plan with their children.
1800 Reverse (1800 738 3773) is a tool that allows people to check-up and check-in. The service works on mobile phones and payphones, and is also available from out of credit prepaid mobiles. There is no charge to the caller and with the receiver given the option to accept the call, parents can ensure their child has access to a last resort service they can use at any hour of the day and in any circumstance.
“Working in partnership with the Queensland Police, our service provides another option to help people connect with their loved ones and stay stafe. 1800 Reverse is used on a call by call basis, and is accessible 24-7 from out-of-credit mobiles and payphones,” Charles Slaughter from 1800 Reverse said.
Operation Homefree was relaunched by the Queensland Police Service in 2010. The service is provided by Greyhound Australia and provides children who are reported missing a free trip home. Any child aged between 12 and 18 and reported missing to police who volunteers themselves to a police station can use the service. A police officer will arrange the seat and the Greyhound bus will get them to their destination. A police officer will also meet them at their arrival point.
Last year, the Australian Police Child ID App, a smartphone application was launched in a bid to help parents provide critical information to police should their child ever go missing.
Developed by the Australian Federal Police and adapted from a similar tool created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the application helps parents provide information to police in the event of a child going missing. Available from the “App Store” (at no cost for iPhone and Android users), the tool allows the family to store vital information and photographs about their children on their mobile phone (in the event it is needed to send to police) and also includes important safety information for parents and guardians.
Missing Persons Week 2013 runs from July 28-August 3. For more information visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
For a list of missing persons across Queensland – visit the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au/
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
How staying connected can help your children stay safe.
With almost 4,500 children under the age of 18 reported missing in Queensland in the 2011/2012 financial year, police are urging parents to think ahead in order to keep their children from becoming one of the many reported missing each year.
With a theme of “See the signs before they disappear”, Missing Persons Week 2013 is focused on helping people recognise the warning signs and how to put in place a plan to help protect those who are most at risk from becoming a missing person.
“While most of the children reported missing each year are located safe and well within a short period of time, we do have cases that stretch on for longer. This is understandably traumatic for families involved and in many cases, could have been avoided or prevented,” Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Group said.
Over the last few years the Queensland Police Service has been working with a number of organisations and partner agencies focused on providing and promoting important safety tools and resources.
In 2011 the Queensland Police Service teamed up with 1800 Reverse (1800 738 3773) to promote a campaign aimed at encouraging parents to consider implementing a back-up plan with their children.
1800 Reverse (1800 738 3773) is a tool that allows people to check-up and check-in. The service works on mobile phones and payphones, and is also available from out of credit prepaid mobiles. There is no charge to the caller and with the receiver given the option to accept the call, parents can ensure their child has access to a last resort service they can use at any hour of the day and in any circumstance.
“Working in partnership with the Queensland Police, our service provides another option to help people connect with their loved ones and stay stafe. 1800 Reverse is used on a call by call basis, and is accessible 24-7 from out-of-credit mobiles and payphones,” Charles Slaughter from 1800 Reverse said.
Operation Homefree was relaunched by the Queensland Police Service in 2010. The service is provided by Greyhound Australia and provides children who are reported missing a free trip home. Any child aged between 12 and 18 and reported missing to police who volunteers themselves to a police station can use the service. A police officer will arrange the seat and the Greyhound bus will get them to their destination. A police officer will also meet them at their arrival point.
Last year, the Australian Police Child ID App, a smartphone application was launched in a bid to help parents provide critical information to police should their child ever go missing.
Developed by the Australian Federal Police and adapted from a similar tool created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the application helps parents provide information to police in the event of a child going missing. Available from the “App Store” (at no cost for iPhone and Android users), the tool allows the family to store vital information and photographs about their children on their mobile phone (in the event it is needed to send to police) and also includes important safety information for parents and guardians.
Missing Persons Week 2013 runs from July 28-August 3. For more information visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
For a list of missing persons across Queensland – visit the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au/
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
