'Find our kids' TV channel

A TV channel showing pictures of missing children was launched yesterday to help trace some of the 150,000 kids who go missing in the UK every year. Images of children will be shown on screens at GPs’ surgeries, hospitals and, in future, at shopping centres.

Missing Kids TV has been backed by Gerry and Kate McCann, who have tried to highlight the plight of youngsters who disappear since their daughter, Madeleine, vanished in May this year.

The TV appeal was launched at New Scotland Yard yesterday with the images of three children, including one showing how missing Ben Needham would look now.

Catherine Meyer, founder of the children’s charity, Parents and Abducted Children Together, said: “The truth is we don’t know how many children go missing, which is an appalling state of affairs. But the best estimate we have shows that every five minutes a child goes missing in the UK. It is really quite shocking.”

The recent case of Madeleine McCann shows it is imperative for the police to act quickly and enrol the public’s help as soon as possible.

“It can make the difference as to whether a child is found alive or dead.”

Police believe that a million people a month will see the rolling images of children on screens at surgeries and hospitals being put by the electronic health media group. There are plans to erect more screens at shopping centres and major stores. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan, said: “The Madeleine McCann case highlights the fact we need to use every possible avenue to respond effectively.”

But, he said, Madeleine’s case was far from typical.

Some children run away, others are thrown out of homes and more children are abducted by parents engaged in custody disputes. DAC Bryan said: “Typically, missing children might stay a night or two with a friend away from home and then drift away from their family. But you have got parents who don’t know where their child is. Every parent will have known that fear if their child disappears even for a few moments. But they are not always found and that then becomes critical. Madeleine McCann’s case made headlines because it struck that note with all of us. But, every year in this country, there are 150,000 children who go missing. I have heard at a conference recently that some children may go missing 85 times in a year. But the fear for the parent is still there.” (The Sun)