Child Rescue Alert went live in February 2004. The scheme works by interrupting television and radio programmes with news flashes alerting the general public 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.
Child Rescue Alert 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 47 states in the USA and is credited with saving at least 124 children.
Click here for details of the four criteria which must be fulfilled before the Child Rescue Alert scheme is launched.
Click here for an example of the audible Child Rescue Alert (.wav, 1.8MB).
