Negligence and violence in the home are strong factors behind missing persons reports.
NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, said this when he met with media to help get the message out to families.
Missing persons reports have increased to 2 to 3 per month, and police in NCD are gravely concerned about this.
On Tuesday, N’Dranou told media that parents, family members and even the general public need to start protecting the vulnerable from opportunists.
N’Dranou said information from missing persons reports that they have been getting, or have solved, relate to family violence or incidents, where a family member runs away, or negligence by parents and guardians in the case of a missing child.
“Conditions like rain and fatigue may cause a child to miss a pick-up place so they walk in the different direction,” he stated.
In the case of domestic violence and incidents, he encouraged women and girls especially to seek safe houses and that information can be sought from the Family & Sexual Violence Unit at the Metropolitan headquarters at Boroko.
“In most cases, they may be in hiding, but away from home they are not safe either. They become vulnerable to opportunists when they are on the streets.”
Superintendent N’Dranou hopes the number of missing persons reports in the media and on social media can alert parents and guardians to talk to their children about safety in public spaces.
Police further said residents in neighbourhoods and communities must look out for each other and assist any relative, friend or neighbour who may need their help.