A Queensland Police Service working party has been formed to ensure the speedy introduction of an Amber Alert-type system for child abductions, the Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Judy Spence, announced today.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Police & Corrective Services, Judy Spence
pol...@cabinet.qld.gov.au
--====----====----====----====----====--

12/08/04

The working party will meet next week - chaired by Chief Superintendent Andy Henderson from Operations Support Command - and produce a report which will form the basis of a submission to Cabinet within three months.

"The Premier and I believe an Amber Alert type of system should be introduced in Queensland as soon as possible - the safety of our children is paramount," Ms Spence said.

"The media's role in this will be crucial. Our police rely heavily on the media and general public in preventing and solving crime, so we will be inviting media involvement in the deliberations of the working party.

"The abduction of a child is a heinous crime and this is one way the police, media and community can fight back, deterring and catching abductors and returning children as soon as possible.

"The Child Abduction Alert Working Party will look at how a community warning system can be quickly introduced to combat child abductions.

"In the United States - where Amber Alerts were introduced after the 1997 abduction and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman - if police believe a child has been abducted, the media breaks into normal transmission and broadcasts details about the child, where they were last seen and any other important information.

"The Child Abduction Alert Working Party will look at:

* the reported incidents of abductions in Queensland to identify those where Amber Alerts might have assisted;

* identify strategies to ensure quick reporting of abductions and the broadcast of accurate information;

* explore ways to enlist support from the private sector such as taxi companies and courier drivers; and

* research other effective strategies introduced in Australia and overseas (particularly the United States) to combat child abductions."

Ms Spence said the Child Abduction Alert Working Party would be asked to progress such a system without delay.

"I expect to take a submission to Cabinet within three months for the introduction of an Amber Alert type system in Queensland, and then seek support at the Australasian Police Ministers' Council in November for the system to be adopted nationally," she said.

"In the meantime, the Police Media Unit will continue to work closely with the media, advising of abductions or attempted abductions as soon as is operationally possible.

"Increased awareness is leading to more reporting of this crime and we hope a safer community."

Media contact: 3239 6218 or 0439 673287