Hong Kong police offer free trackers to children with special needs amid rise in missing cases

Hong Kong police have expanded a programme offering free trackers to children with special needs, following a rise in missing cases in one district of the city.

Teachers and parents from special schools who joined the project said the tracking device could help prevent incidents of missing children and enable them to live independently, while police hoped more families could benefit from the scheme.

“The project can educate families with children of special needs that Bluetooth trackers can make a huge difference,” said Elsa Lei Lan-fa, vice principal of the CCC Kei Shun Special School in Kwun Tong.

The police project previously catered to patients with cognitive disorders and the elderly, with the force distributing 1,800 trackers since the scheme was launched.

Police estimate handing out another 1,700 trackers this year after the eligibility of applicants extended to those with patients with mental disabilities and children who need special education.