The Fiji Police Force is encouraging members of the public to keep an open line of communication with their loved ones.

On the same note, Police has urged parents and guardians to talk to their children about the importance of communicating their plans during the two weeks holidays.

There is often a spike of missing persons reported during the second term school break because of various social and sporting activities taking place.

Chief Operations Officer ACP Maretino Qiolevu said missing persons reports were of concern.

“From January to July 2018, we have received 100 reports of which 78 have been found after one or two days either staying with relatives or friends,” he said.

“Twenty-two cases are pending, of which two are drowning cases whereby the bodies of the victims are yet to be found, while four are missing at sea, leaving 16 cases pending, which are being pursued by the respective investigating officers.”

Majority of the cases involve those aged between 15 to 30 years of age whereby a disagreement with loved ones has led to them running away from home, or one has simply failed to inform their family members of their plans to stay at a friends or relatives place.

There is often speculation of missing person being abducted or linked to human trafficking, which is not true as majority are found safe and well and had initially failed to communicate their plans.

Parents are also being encouraged to communicate with each other because there have been cases where a child decides to stay over at a friend’s place without the knowledge of their parent or guardian.

By working together we can avoid the unnecessary panic and stress caused when an individual is reported missing.

Source: Fiji Police Media

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