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Child Rescue Alert launched in Hampshire and Surrey HAMPSHIRE Constabulary today became the third force in the country to launch a life-saving scheme to trace abducted children. Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan officially launched Child Rescue Alert at the Constabulary's training centre near Netley, joined by other senior police and community representatives. Hampshire Constabulary follows Sussex and Surrey Police in adopting Child Rescue Alert. Child Rescue Alert works by interrupting television and radio programmes with news flashes that a child has been snatched and is at risk of serious harm or death. Members of the public are asked to be vigilant and call 999 with any information. Local TV and radio stations have unanimously signed up to the scheme. The scheme is based on an American concept called Amber Alert, which was introduced in Texas in 1996 following the kidnap and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman. This has now been developed across 15 states in the USA and is credited with saving at least 69 children. Sussex Police was the first force in Britain to introduce Child Rescue Alert, launching the initiative in November 2002. It went live in Surrey at the beginning of December. Mr Kernaghan said: "Thankfully, child abductions are very rare, but it is essential that Hampshire Constabulary is in the best possible position to deal with such a situation should it arise. "The responsibility of protecting children and young people is one Hampshire Constabulary takes very seriously indeed and this scheme has a proven track record in the States, which is why we have been so keen to introduce it here. "We are delighted with the support we have received for this very important scheme from the media and local businesses." Detective Inspector Alison Scott has co-ordinated the introduction of the initiative in Hampshire. "There is a huge amount of work involved but if, at the end of the day, one child is saved as a result, it will be worthwhile," she said. "The first few hours after a child goes missing are crucial and the real benefit of this scheme is that it alerts members of the public to the abduction quickly so that they can help look for the child." Notes to editors: There are four key criteria to be met before a Child Rescue Alert is issued. They are:
When a call is received saying that a child has been abducted, the Constabulary's Control Room will immediately deploy an officer to obtain full details, which are then passed to the Control Room Inspector. If the Control Room Inspector believes the circumstances may fulfil the criteria, they immediately advise the on-call Detective Superintendent. The D/Supt will activate the scheme immediately if they agree that the circumstances meet the criteria. Broadcasters across the local area are then made aware of the Alert by a message sent via a secure e-mail facility. Radio stations who sign up to the initiative undertake to broadcast the alert every 15 minutes for between four and six hours. TV stations use a 'ticker tape' effect at the bottom of the screen, alerting the public about the incident and may direct the public to a page on their news text services. Through the media, members of the public are encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open for anything that may assist the police in recovering the abducted child. If they spot anything they are urged to call the police using the 999 system. |
