myPolice QPS NewsPolice Commissioner Ian Stewart is urging parents and carers to avoid losing children at the Ekka by collecting free wristbands and organising a meeting point should they become separated.
The initiative has proved successful at the Ekka over a number of years, helping police easily identify lost children and reuniting them with their parents and carers. In 2012 about 45 children and in 2011 about 86 children were separated from their carers at the Ekka and all were reunited.
Commissioner Stewart said it was distressing for all involved if children and parents were separated.
“We strongly encourage the use of the wristbands. Parents and carers can avoid some of the distress by discussing with their children what to do should they become separated,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“On arrival at the Ekka, parents should show their children where the police station is located, teach them how to identify a police officer and explain that they need to find a police officer if they become lost.”
Parents and carers are encouraged to record their names and contact details on the underside of the wristband so they aren’t visible to the general public.
The free wristbands will be available from the Exhibition Police Station which is the high set wooden building located about 50 metres from Gate 1 on Gregory Terrace.
Schools or community groups bringing large groups of children to the Ekka are encouraged to register their attendance with police prior to attending the Ekka. This will enable Police to quickly contact the relevant carers, should a child become separated from the group.
To register the attendance of a school or large group of children please contact the Fortitude Valley Crime Prevention Unit via email crimepreventionValley@police.qld.gov.au or call 3737 5680. More information can also be viewed on the QPS YouTube site. Police encourage parents to know where their children are at all times.
A separate police display at the Ekka is open from 9am to 7pm daily for the duration of the show.
