Safe Child Scheme
The Safe Child Scheme was launched in the historic market town of Shrewsbury, in December 1993. Since then, the average time a lost child has been separated from his or her family has been dramatically reduced from 15 minutes to less than 5 minutes.
The Scheme was more recently launched in Bracknell in May 2000, and in the next 12 months 43 children were safely reunited with their parents.
The vast majority of children who get lost are reunited with their families very quickly, and the chances of a child coming to harm during a separation are extremely remote - let's keep it that way by knowing what to do!
Look out for the easily identified "Safe Child" logos at tills, checkouts and on shop doors and windows.
When a small child gets separated from parents in a busy street, store or shopping centre, it is very distressing for adult and child alike.
Youngsters will always get lost - and a lost child is a vulnerable child. Yet few of us know the best way to comfort a lost and frightened child and get him reunited with his or her anxious family as quickly as possible.
Police forces and large retailers nationally have joined forces to help parents, children and retail staff to know what to do.
Research shows us wide variations in the way parents react when children get lost, and in the way shop staff cope with lost children. Likewise, advice given to children about what to do if they get lost varies enormously - often resulting in confusion and unnecessary delay.
Please read this advice with care, and make sure your family knows what to do. You may never need it, but...
If you work in a store or shopping centre
- Get down to the child's height. Show the youngster your name badge and tell them that you work there before trying to find out their name. Some children wear name tags in jackets or jumpers, etc.
- Carry out a brief search of the immediate area with the child. Mostly lost children are near their family, who are simply obscured by displays.
- Notify store or shopping centre security and use the public address system if available.
- Confirm the identity of anyone claiming the child, and make sure the child can identify them. Do not release the child to anyone under 16. If in doubt, ring the Police.
- If the child is not collected or claimed soon, take them to a safe place and, where possible, ensure a member of staff stays with them at all times, preferably the person who made initial contact - this avoids confusing a distressed youngster.
- Inform the Police and your security staff, giving as much detail as possible.
If you are a parent or guardian
- Inside a store, enquire at the nearest till or checkout point.
- In a shopping centre or street, enquire at the tills or checkouts of the nearest store.
- Listen carefully to any public address announcement.
- In a shopping centre, alert the centre's security staff.
- Enquire at the nearest Police Station.
How many points do you score?
- I have taught my children to recite their names, address and telephone numbers.
- I sew or write their names inside their clothing.
- I encourage my children to stay close to me and hold my hand or trolley when I go shopping.
- I use reins or wrist straps in busy places.
- I don't leave my children in unsupervised play areas.
- I make sure my children know the Safe Child holding hands symbol and children's instructions.
If you are little and lost
These simple instructions can be easily followed by your children, and are entirely compatible with the advice for staff and parents. Teach them to your child, for both your sakes.
The moment you realise you are lost, you should...
- Stop - stand still and look around. But do not run around.
- If you see the person you are shopping with, go straight back to them and hold their hand.
- If you cannot see the person you are with, go straight to a till or checkout and tell the person working there that you are lost.
- If you get lost in a shopping centre or street, go into the nearest shop and straight to a till or checkout.
Do not approach anyone else.
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