WA Police sign on to Facebook AMBER Alert system

• National launch of emergency child abduction alert system

Police Minister Michelle Roberts today announced the introduction of the Facebook AMBER Alert system in Western Australia.

The alert system which is being rolled out nationally, enables WA Police to issue an immediate, 24-hour alert on Facebook to people in the area where a child has been abducted from.

Key information about the missing child will appear as the second post in the news feed section of all Facebook users within a 160 kilometre radius of where the child was last seen.

Details including a photograph, name, description and circumstances surrounding the disappearance are posted.

With millions of Australians active on social media, the Facebook AMBER Alert gives police access to an immediate, 24-hour broadcast response when a child is abducted.

The AMBER Alert originated in the United States of America and a similar system has been operating in Queensland for several years.

Commissioners of Police from all States and Territories have adopted the AMBER Alert system as part of a national agreement.

Comments attributed to Police Minister Michelle Roberts:

"The first hours after a child abduction are crucial and one of the most valuable things police can do is get information out to the public quickly.

"Thankfully child abduction in Western Australia is rare, but this gives police a critical platform to reach masses of people in the immediate hours after a child's disappearance.

"Anything which can give police the best chance of safely recovering and returning a child to their family is strongly supported by the McGowan Labor Government."

Minister's office - 6552 6900