When someone goes missing, it is important they are located as quickly as possible to confirm their safety and welfare and to minimise the anxiety experienced by family and friends.

The South Australia Police (SAPOL) responds to around 5000 missing persons reports each year. SAPOL locate 99.95% of missing persons annually, with 99% located within one month.

When to report a missing person

How to report a missing person

What action police will take

National Missing Persons Coordination Centre

Public assistance

If you are 'missing'

When to report a missing person

As soon as there is a concern for that person's welfare or fears for safety contact any police station immediately. You do not need to wait 24 hours before reporting your concerns.

How to report a missing person

Reports can be made by telephone or in person to any police station.

When you make a missing person report it will help police if you can provide the following information:

• where the person was last seen or heard from
• likely destinations, e.g. favourite places or places with past connections
• if known, the cause of absence, e.g. family conflict, lost or wandered etc.
• a full description of the missing person including their height, weight, eye and hair colour
• any medical problems, requirements or medications they need
• names, addresses and phone numbers of friends and associates.

 

What action police will take

Where the missing person was last seen or heard from, local police in the area the missing person was last heard will assume responsibility for enquiries to locate the person. Local police will keep in regular contact with the person who made the report.

If the missing person is not located within 30 days and the disappearance is not considered to be suspicious, the Missing Persons Investigation Section (MPIS) will take over responsibility for enquiries.

If the disappearance is considered to be suspicious, the local Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) or Major Crime Investigation Section will take over the investigation.

National Missing Persons Coordination Centre

The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) provides a national, coordinated approach to locating missing people.

The NMPCC works in partnership with police in all states and territories, the Australian and state governments, non-government agencies and the community to help reduce the incidence of missing persons, to locate missing persons as quickly as possible and to provide support to the missing person, their family, friends and the community.

The NMPCC website www.missingpersons.gov.au lists cases of some missing persons where there is concern for their safety or welfare.

 

Public assistance

Anyone with information on the possible whereabouts of a missing person should contact:

• your local police station
• National Missing Persons Coordination Centre www.missingpersons.gov.au (1800 000 634), or
• the Missing Persons Investigation Section on (08) 8172 5467.

If you are 'missing'

Being a missing person is not a crime. If in a position to do so just make a phone call to your family and friends or the Missing Persons Investigation Section. They can pass on a message to end the unnecessary heartache of not knowing what has happened to you.

Police will not divulge your whereabouts to any unauthorised person/s without your permission.

Before making the decision to leave and become a 'missing person' see if there is someone you can talk to and discuss any problems or difficulties you may be facing.