A train company will use its WiFi to help find missing people and has marked its search by painting footprints on the floor of Blackfriars railway station.
From now until January, customers logging into the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) WiFi will see a different photo of a missing person each week.
To remind commuters that 40 people are reported missing every hour, GTR has painted 40 sets of disappearing footsteps around Blackfriars station.
Suzi, whose brother Shaune will appear on GTR’s WiFi login page as part of the campaign, said that she’s grateful for anything that could help to find her brother.
“It’s hard to comprehend the feelings you experience when someone you love goes missing. My brother went missing six years ago after a medical appointment in Eltham,” she said.
“That’s six years of not knowing where he is or if he’s okay. When he went missing, he was a brother to four, a father to five and a grandfather to one. I just want to know that he’s okay.”
GTR said it decided to partner with the charity Missing People after seeing a 20 per cent increase in vulnerable people at its stations.
Laura Campbell, GTR’s Safeguarding Manager, said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a concerning increase in reports about vulnerable people on our network.
“We know that winter can be a tough time for many, so it’s really important we’re looking out for those most at risk.
“We hope that together with our passengers, we can positively contribute to the vital work of Missing People and help reunite families with loved ones this winter.”
The partnership comes after GTR awarded Missing People £25,000 as part of its community fund to support local causes across its network.
The funding will help increase awareness of Missing People and its helplines, with posters and station announcements in place at GTR’s busiest station – East Croydon.
There will also be digital posters at selected sites across the entire network.
Anyone who is affected by someone going missing or is thinking of going missing can contact Missing People on 116 000.