A geo-targeting SMS alert issued by police has helped to locate an 87-year-old man missing from an aged care home in Sydney’s south-west.
Police say the elderly man had been last seen at the aged care facility on Judd Avenue, Hammondville, about 12.30am today.
“Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were alerted a short time later and commenced inquiries to locate him,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“As a result of inquiries, including a geo-targeting SMS alert issued to local residents, a member of the community playing golf at a course on Brickmakers Drive, Moorebank, located the man just before 9am today.”
He has since been returned to the aged care home and will be assessed by paramedics for any health concerns.
“Police thank the media and the community for their assistance,” NSW Police said.
SMS geo-targeting has been used by NSW Police since March this year. The system helps to locate high-risk missing persons across the state by allowing Police to send out an alert message to all mobile devices within an area defined by police.
