SA asylum seekers living in fear: bishop

Young asylum seekers living in community detention are scared they will be sent back to detention centres, an Adelaide bishop says.

Bishop Greg O'Kelly said on Tuesday that 12 juvenile asylum seekers remained at large after going missing from community homes in Adelaide several weeks ago.

Bishop O'Kelly, who met most of the missing children during their stay at a detention centre in Port Augusta, said the "aggressive" tone of immigration officials had sparked fear among young asylum seekers.

"Those still at school are frightened of being whisked away without warning," he said.

"With their home background, government officials create fear in them. They should be approached with kindness, assurance and gentleness, if trust is to be established."

South Australian police said in July that 11 asylum seekers were missing, including some adults.

The youngest person listed as missing at the time was 14 and was understood to be with his father.

A police spokesman would not confirm on Tuesday whether that number had grown.

"The only comment SA Police will make on the subject is that police are formally filing the reports received from (the Department of Immigration and Border Protection) in relation to the missing detainees," he said.