Putting the faces of missing people back on milk cartons

 The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Canberra Milk are joining forces to put the faces of missing people back on milk bottles in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

AFP Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz said the initiative – which launches in the ACT region on 6 June – will see 12 long-term missing people with connections to the Canberra region featured on one litre fresh milk bottles for six weeks.

“This initiative will result in missing persons’ profiles being seen by many thousands of Canberrans every time they have a bowl of cereal, bake a cake or make a cup of tea,” Assistant Commissioner Platz said.

“It takes back to the days, before Amber Alerts and social media notifications, to when reports of missing people appeared in a place guaranteed to catch the eyes of the broader population – on milk cartons.

“In turn, we hope this tried-and-tested method will start a new conversation about the region’s missing people and how the community can help police find them.”

Capitol Chilled Foods Australia, Director David Tyack said we wanted to take part in this opportunity to partner with the AFP & NMPCC, to help those in our community that have been effected by loved ones gone missing.

“We thought it would be a great idea to help get the message out by going old school and advertising on our 1L Canberra Milk Full Cream bottles”, Director David Tyack said.

ACT Chief Police Officer (CPO) Ray Johnson said it’s important that we raise awareness of this issue of long term missing people, and how Canberrans are our eyes and ears.

“There are families who have been waiting, in some cases for decades, for news about their loved ones. This new campaign is one more tool to that may provide vital information to investigators in each of these 12 cases.

“If you recognise any of the missing people profiled in the campaign, or have information about any of Australia’s long-term missing persons on the Public Register at www.missingpersons.gov.au, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” CPO Johnson said.

The twelve profiles have been selected by the ACT Policing missing person unit and include:

Laura HAWORTH (ACT)

Elizabeth HERFORT (ACT)

Amelia HAUSIA (ACT)

Kate ALEXANDER (ACT)

Megan MULQUINEY (ACT)

David ABUOI (ACT)

Jean POLICARPIO (ACT)

Owen WILLIAMS (SA)

Wayne PICKETT (NSW)

Anthony FAHEY (NSW)

Robert JACOB (ACT)

Wendy DALLA (ACT)

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au