The search for the missing Hebe (10) and her supervisor Sanne (26) keeps Brabant firmly in its grip. Hebe and Sanne have been missing since Monday evening. They are looking for them with all their might. The police called in the help of the Veterans Search Team. Who’s on that team? How do they work? “The willingness to help search for missing persons is high,” said spokesman Inno Rutting.
In case of missing persons, the Veterans Search Team (VST) is increasingly called upon. The request to come and help, such as with the search for the multiple disabled Hebe and her supervisor Sanne, comes from the police. “They are asking for our help and are coordinating the search,” said Inno Rutting, spokesperson for the Veterans Search Team. The search team comes into action about fifty times a year.
“Volunteers come from all parts of the country. They are at the agreed place within two hours.”
At the request of the police, a coordinator and a commander are appointed at VST who will supervise the action. “The volunteers are approached via a call. They sign up for the search and come to an agreed place within two hours. On Tuesday there were about one hundred and twenty volunteers in Waspik. They come from all parts of the country,” says Rutting.
The VST volunteers have a uniformed background, Rutting describes. “Ninety percent have been military. But there are volunteers who have worked for the fire brigade, police or forestry.”
The police is taking the lead in the search and is supported by the VST. “We have several specialisms. If there is a question about deploying a drone, we can do that. We even have an underwater drone. bikers who go through a specific search area with a mountain bike. Or so-called trackersspecialists in the field of finding traces.”
“There are so many volunteers ready for every missing person.”
The most famous image of the VST is walking in a line. “The volunteers walk in a row across the fields and in the woods.” In this way, meter by meter is searched and combed. “We do not use detection dogs. There are other services for that.”
More than a hundred VST volunteers traveled to Waspik on Tuesday. It amazes Rutting time and again. “So many people are ready for every missing person. That is very special. I am proud of that. We will stay as long as it is necessary and as long as our people can handle it. We have to stay sharp.”
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Search for Hebe and Sanne resumed, Veterans Search Team is helping again