A VOLUNTEER group which helps trace missing people in Oxfordshire needs more people to join its ranks.

OxSAR (Oxfordshire Lowland Search and Rescue) is often the first point of call for Thames Valley Police when a vulnerable person goes missing in the county.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the team has been called “the best kept secret in emergency services work”.

Last night chairman Steve Butcher urged people to step forward.

He said: “We help find all types of people, including children, dementia sufferers and those with mental health problems.

“It would be great if we could get more people to come forward and volunteer their time to help us deliver this vital service.”

OxSAR’s main role is to assist police with missing person searches, but the volunteers also help other lowland search teams in surrounding counties.

They have responded to 60 callouts since April 2009, about one every 10 days. They have included missing person searches in Horton-cum-Studley, near Oxford, Didcot and Moulsford, near Wallingford.

The charity provides full training in search and rescue skills including search, first aid, communications and navigation.

Members can be called out at any time, day or night, but have the flexibility to respond around their work and family commitments.

Vice-chairman Jennie Webster said: “We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated, caring people who want to do something which is challenging, rewarding, and above all, lifesaving.

“Team members come from all sorts of backgrounds.

“In order to become an operational member of OxSAR, people need to be fit enough to walk over challenging terrain, however, we are always looking for people to be involved in support and fundraising roles too.”

The group was formed in 2008 and this year received full operational status from the national regulating body, ALSAR.

OxSAR is solely funded by charitable donations from the public and county businesses.

Sgt Mick Greenwood, Thames Valley Police search adviser, paid tribute to the role played by the charity.

He said: “They are a welcome addition to the volunteer search and rescue teams based in the Thames Valley Police area.

“OxSAR had notable success in their probationary period, assisting on numerous search operations.

“Their accreditation as a full member is great news, strengthening the partnership between the volunteer searchers and my team of police search advisors.

“The ALSAR teams in the Thames Valley area have an excellent record in coming out at all times of the day, in all weathers to assist with the search for vulnerable missing people.’ dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk

  • For details about how to join, go to isis-sar.org.uk