A large-scale police and community operation yielded significant results last week.

On June 28, 2019, a joint one-day operation was executed to protect missing and at-risk youth in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and a number of community organizations launched Project Return as a way to protect youth within the city at high risk for sexual exploitation by locating individuals reported missing.

The WPS's Counter Exploitation/Missing Person's Unit and General Patrol Members from West and North District Stations worked alongside outreach workers in Winnipeg from organizations such as StreetReach, Winnipeg Outreach Network (WON), all Nations Coordinated Response (ANCR) and Bear Clan Patrol Inc. for success in the operation.

Through the efforts of Project Return, eight at-risk youths who had been reported missing were located and relocated to a safe place. 28 locations known as frequented by high-risk missing youth were checked.

Additionally, WPS reports that 18 Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPTSD) contacts were made through the operation to identify and help those involved in sexual exploitation.

"Our commitment to issues surrounding our missing youth and those at risk of sexual exploitation in the community will continue," said the WPS.

Police report that last year they received a total of 7,361 reports of missing people. An average of 600 missing person reports are received by police each month.

At the time of Project Return's launch, 74 youths (identified as being 18 or under in age) remained outstanding as missing youths in Winnipeg.