XN000022-1978-04-26 — Page 33

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1978

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STEPS TAKEN IN TRACING MISSING PERSONS

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THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, TODAY SAID THAT THERE WERE 154 FEMALES MISSING BY APRIL 22 THIS YEAR AND OUTLINED STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNEMENT IN TRACING MISSING PERSONS.

MR. DAVIES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WHO ASKED WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO TRACE THE 463 TEENAGERS AND ADULT WOMEN WHO WERE REPORTED AS STILL MISSING AS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR OUT OF A TOTAL OF 2,704 FEMALES REPORTED MISSING DURING THE YEAR.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE PARTICULARS OF EACH PERSON ARE CIRCULATED TO POLICE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR FOLLOW UP ACTION AND ALL UNITS ARE NOTIFIED IF THE MISSING PERSON IS UNDER 16 OR OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE OR IF THERE ARE SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES,

+ IF THERE ARE SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES THE POSITION IS

INVESTIGATED BY THE CID+, MR. DAVIES SAID.

+ IF A PERSON IS UNDER 12 YEARS THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS INFORMED AFTER 24 HOURS AND THEIR ASSISTANCE REQUESTED.

+ IF A PERSON IS BETWEEN 12-16 YEARS THE SAME DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS INFORMED AFTER 48 HOURS.

MR. DAVIES CONTINUED: +IN OTHER CASES ENQUIRIES ARE CONDUCTED BY THE UNIFORM BRANCH WHO REGULARLY CHECK BARS, MUSIC PARLOURS AND THE LIKE ALSO OUTDOOR DUTIES AND OFFICERS ON CASE ENQUIRIES KEEP A LOOK OUT.

+WITH THE CONSENT OF THE NEXT OF KIN, THE POLICE ARRANGE FOR DETAILS OF THE MISSING PERSON TO BE PUBLICISED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA.

+OUTSTANDING GASES REMAIN ON RECORD AND ARE CHECKED WHENEVER YOUNG PERSONS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF POLICE IN SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES,+ MR. DAVIES SAID.

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