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.

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 us 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.”

ACT Chief Police Officer Ray Johnson said it’s important to raise awareness of long term missing people.

“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 that may provide vital information to investigators in each of these 12 cases,” he said.

“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,” Mr Johnson said.

What do you think of this idea to locate missing people? Do you think it will work?