Police have released a picture of missing Hampton Park teenager Mariah Jones and are appealing for any information on her whereabouts.By Alison Noonan
HAMPTON Park teenager Mariah Jones has been missing since July.
The 14yearold is just one of thousands of people across Victoria who have seemingly vanished, never to return home. Police this week launched National Missing Persons’ Week, a campaign which urges people who have not made contact with family and loved ones to contact them and tell them they are ‘okay’.
A total of 6646 people were reported missing in Victoria between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005, with 2912 aged 17 or younger.
Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland said that while many missing people were located quickly, police were concerned about the small percentage of unexplained disappearances.
“People who have not made contact with family and friends for their own reasons may not realise the impact their absence has had,” Mr Overland said. “It is not a crime to be a missing person, we merely want to establish that a missing person is safe and well.
“So anyone who may have information or knows of someone who has not contacted family is encouraged to speak with police or other community agencies,” he said.
Cranbourne Sergeant Gavin Buchan said police were seeking assistance to locate Ms Jones, who went missing at 1pm on 13 July.
He said the teenager had been sighted in Hampton Park and Narre Warren and it was possible she was still in or around those areas.
Ms Jones is described as about 160 centimetres tall, with long straight black hair, thin build, olive complexion and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Cranbourne Police on 5995 4681.
