A child is reported missing every five minutes

New figures out today by the National Crime Agency show that there were 306,000 missing person incidents in the UK last year and two thirds of these incidents involve children - the most vulnerable members of our society. The Agency said that every five minutes a child is reported missing in the UK, 89% of all these missing incidents are resolved quickly within 48 hours.

Today Ranvir Singh sits down with Paul and Coral Jones, parents of missing April Jones, Gerry and Kate McCann, parents of missing Madeleine McCann and Hugh Grant, Patron Missing People Charity as they urge people to sign up to the Child Rescue Alert.

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Missing People say:

Every five minutes another child in the UK goes missing. Thankfully most are found safe and well very soon. Others are not. We need your help to find them.

Child Rescue Alert is a system designed to alert the public, as quickly as possible, to an abduction or other high risk child disappearance. Statistics show that the initial hours after a child is abducted are crucial, and a sighting by a member of the public can lead to the safe recovery of the child.

To help save children’s lives we need everyone in the UK to sign up for alerts. It’s easy to do and costs nothing. Once you have signed up, you don’t need to do anything except help look for a child when an alert is issued.

“When a child is abducted, families are devastated and entire communities are torn apart. The agony of not knowing where your child is feels unbearable. The helplessness is at the time overwhelming.

“There is now something we can all to do help. Please sign up to receive alerts – you could save a child’s life today.” Kate McCann, mother of missing Madeleine.

“The search for my beautiful April ended in tragedy and what is why I want to do everything I can to make sure the next time a child is taken or in danger we can bring them home safely.” Coral Jones, mother of April.

Child Rescue Alert is run by the charity Missing People in partnership with the National Crime Agency and technology company Groupcall Limited. It has been funded thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the EU.

Act now. You could save a child’s life. Visit www.childrescuealert.org.uk to sign up.