Police have today launched a Missing Persons website through the NZ Police main website.
Although there has always been access to a page within the Police website, this revised site will now offer more to the public in the way of information and photographs of both current and historical missing person cases.
Only cases that Police have authority to publish information will be profiled and this includes current and historic cases.
Detective Sergeant Linda Simpson, head of the Police Missing Persons Unit says the website is another investigative tool to help Police search for people.
"We are hoping that having accessible information and photographs will jog people's memories when we ask for public assistance. The information can be relayed back to the Police, anonymously, through the site.
There are more than 350 long term missing persons in New Zealand (people who have been missing for more than one year).
"Each year the New Zealand Police receive around 8,000 reports relating to missing persons. Of those reported missing, approximately 95% are found within a short period of time, usually before 14 days, with over 50% located within the first two days", says Dectective Sergeant Simpson.
The Missing Persons Unit is located in the INTERPOL office at Police National Headquarters and is responsible for the coordination of all Missing Persons cases nationwide.
The website can be accessed through the Police website by clicking on the appropriate link.
If you have any information relating to the whereabouts of any of the missing people on the website, please contact your local Police station or follow the instructions on the website.
The Missing Persons Website can be accessed via the below link:
https://www.police.govt.nz/missing-persons
ENDS
Media contact:
Sara Stavropoulos
Media Advisor, Public Affairs, PNHQ
04 474 9482