This year Northern Territory Police are supporting the National Missing Persons Week initiative to raise awareness of the importance of reporting a missing loved one as soon as possible.

Detective Senior Constable First Class Donna Cayley of the Missing Persons Unit said the annual event is coordinated by the National Missing Persons Unit (NMPU) in Canberra.

“This year Missing Persons Week will run from Sunday 29 July through to Saturday 4 August,” Detective Senior Constable First Class Cayley said.

“I want to remind people, if you’ve not seen or heard from a loved one and have concerns for their safety or welfare, to contact Police on 131 444. The sooner it’s reported, the sooner we can assist in locating them.

“It is important to report missing people early so that any evidence is not lost over time and potential witnesses are able to provide accurate information.”

Police Territory wide are investigating numerous missing persons cases. A recent case is missing Palmerston man John ‘Jackaboy’ Waters. Mr Waters hasn’t been seen since he left the Dundee Beach area on 17 November 2011.

He is described as Aboriginal in appearance with white hair and a full white beard. He is of slim build and around 183 cm tall.

Police hold concerns for the welfare of Mr Waters and urge anyone who may have seen him to contact Police on 131 444.

Every year in Australia 35,000 people are reported missing. Of those, 95% are found within a short period of time and 1,600 people have been missing for more than six months.

“NT Police work hard to reunite loved ones and need continuing assistance from the public to make that possible,” Detective Senior Constable First Class Cayley said.

If any member of the public knows the location of a missing person they are urged to encourage that person to contact their family, someone they trust or the local police on 131 444.
Further information about National Missing Persons Week can be found at www.missingpersons.gov.au/.

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Amy Sloan

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