McCanns Launch Missing Child Alert System

My friends, Sky News today:

McCanns launch Missing Child Alert System

Please go to Sky News, look for the title above or click at this link:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Kate-And-Gerry-McCann-Launch-Revamped-Missing-Child-Alert-System-For-Britain/Article/201005415637652?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15637652_Kate_And_Gerry_McCann_Launch_Revamped_Missing_Child_Alert_System_For_Britain

Kate and Gerry McCann are helping to launch a revamped nationwide alert system for missing children.

9:20am UK, Tuesday May 25, 2010

Rob Cole, Sky News Online



Sigourney Chisolm disappeared in 1993 aged two - she is thought to be in the UK

The parents of Madeleine McCann have been campaigning for a system to be operational in the UK since the disappearance of their daughter in Portugal in May 2007.
The network will be compatible with other European countries for the first time.
Similar to the amber alert in the US, the system is aimed at raising public awareness if a child goes missing and will also allow police to issue Europe-wide alerts.
Regional and national television and radio stations will broadcast messages, in some cases interrupting scheduled programmes.

The revamped system is being launched on International Missing Children's Day.
Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, head of the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA), said: "Through Child Rescue Alert the community is able to form a strong alliance to help in the hunt for child abductors when an alert is activated.
"It is fitting that the NPIA should relaunch (the) alert on International Missing Children's Day, which forms a poignant reminder of the sense of devastation caused to the parents and families of children who go missing."


Madeleine McCann's parents believe their daughter is alive

Police say the first few hours after an abduction are crucial in locating a missing child.
But they expect the alerts to be rarely issued and will use new computer software to handle the anticipated deluge of calls from concerned members of the public.
The system is being co-ordinated by the NPIA and, in cases where the child's UK home address is not known, supported by Greater Manchester Police.
Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic have already introduced their versions of child abduction alerts that link with the European network.
The previous national alert system was established in 2005 and has only been used on a handful of occasions.
An alert can only be issued when the child is aged under 18, there is a reasonable belief he or she has been abducted and could be in imminent danger.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/05/25/kid-grab-alerts-to-halt-tv-115875-22283396/

Kid grab alerts to halt TV programmes

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By Rod Chaytor 25/05/2010
Child kidnap alerts could interrupt national TV programmes whenever a youngster is snatched, it will be announced today.
Kate McCann, mum of missing Madeleine, was due to be a special guest at the launch of Child Rescue Alert.
The project, being unveiled on International Missing Children's Day, will mean police across the country can "press the CRA button" if a child under 18 is thought to have been abducted.
Individual police forces have had the powers to trigger such alerts in the past but the new scheme will be co-ordinated nationwide.

A senior police source said yesterday: "Research in the States shows that 75% of children abducted by strangers are dead within four hours.
"If a CRA is put out, it means we believe we may have just hours to save a child's life.
"If the alert is nationwide, broadcasters have agreed to put it out immediately. Coronation Street, if it's on at the time, will be interrupted." It will be backed by the missing persons bureau at the National Policing Improvement Authority's London head office. The CRA, based on the US's Amber system, will also link with existing set-ups in other European countries.
And its launch will highlight the plight of children abducted by a parent or relative, with 1,000 such cases every year in this country.