The family of a 79-year-old woman who went missing in Bishopdale on Thursday evening has thanked the public for their support after she was found safe and well.

Canterbury Police said the woman was reported missing at approximately 7PM, after leaving her home to go shopping and failing to return.

Senior Sergeant Adam Chambers said officers responded immediately, deploying into Bishopdale and surrounding areas.

“Due to concerns for the woman’s welfare and the forecast of bad weather, Police issued an emergency mobile alert,” Chambers said.

Emergency Mobile Alerts are public warnings sent to enabled cellphones within a designated area and are used only when there is an immediate concern for a person’s life or safety.

“In this instance, a member of the public located the missing woman around 10PM and notified Police, who safely transported her home,” Chambers said.

He thanked the members of the public who responded to the alert, checked their properties and actively helped search for the woman.

“This outcome shows how effective the alert system can be when the community is engaged and willing to help.”

The woman’s daughter-in-law told chrislynchmedia.com she was found by a member of the public walking along Main South Road.

“We had so much of the Bishopdale community and surrounding area looking for her.

“Thank you for your media presence with this incident.

“We are a very lucky family and aware the outcome could have been very different.”