Capability exists in the ACT to use SMS geo-location to help find missing people

ACT police and emergency services already have access to a territory-wide SMS-based alert system but strict protocols prevent its use other than in a major emergency such as a terrorist attack, a major bushfire or extreme weather conditions.

NSW Police lobbied hard to set up the capability for its missing persons registry. It already uses social media as one of its primary tools to enlist the public's help in locating missing people.

Under the NSW system, a brief message will be sent out to all mobile devices within a defined area and may contain details about a missing person, a photograph and other relevant details such as a car description and registration.

NSW Police say they will only use the SMS tool in "high risk circumstances" such as for people living with dementia who wander from their homes, children with developmental delays and separated from their family or carers, or young children.

For these vulnerable people, getting the information out quickly was of vital importance.

Missing persons registry coordinator, Detective Inspector Glen Browne said "an assessment of all available and relevant information will be made ... before an SMS can be sent".

"In each of these situations, serious concerns are held for a person's safety if they are not located quickly - making the SMS tool invaluable to first-responders," Det Insp Browne said.

TPG, Optus and Telstra will all support police in the rollout of the new NSW tool.

ACT Police say they "look forward to discussing the outcome of the SMS geo-targeting tool implementation with our NSW colleagues".

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