A new programme to reduce the number of missing children is being launched.
Safe Return will see officers from Northumbria Police and partner organisations in Sunderland Together For Children and Waythrough identify children who have gone missing from home.
The programme offers intervention support to young people at risk of going missing at an early stage.
Funded by the Violence Reduction Unit, Safe Return aims to prevent repeat disappearances.
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Ashurst, who heads up Northumbria Police’s Missing Person’s Team, said: "This innovative new project will see us work alongside our partners to identify those young people who regularly go missing and get them the support they need at an early stage."
Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "The approach has already shown promising results elsewhere, and we're confident that Safe Return will have a similar positive impact in Sunderland."
Reports of missing persons can be made via social media, the force website, or by calling 101.
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