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Virtual chat: Chief Inspector Tim Bonnett
Question and answer
Q: How do you know that the children you're trying to reunite with their families didn't run away in the first place because of some sort of abuse at home? What safeguards are there?
Anongirluk
A: Thank you for raising this issue. We are very careful that the cases we post on the website are ones where we can manage the return carefully. When a child is traced, we involve caring agencies and the family, working together to ensure that issues around the child's disappearance are dealt with appropriately.
The simple fact to remember is that it is always better for a child to be in a place of safety than on the streets, no matter how 'streetwise' they think they are.
Q: I read a statistic that most child abductions are actually perpetrated by family members and/or parents. Is this more or less dangerous to the psychological health of the child in question?
oamanda
A: You are right that most abductions are by people children know very well, often family members. The child can still be at risk. A very sad case featured on the website last year was Deirdre Crowley. She was abducted by her father who, when the police caught up with him, killed her and then committed suicide. In addition, the child may be kept out of school, live in the shadows of life and generally be affected psychologically by the experience.
Abduction by a stranger is very, very rare and very dangerous. Some family abductions are for positive reasons. However, courts (in the UK at least) make decisions on custody with careful consideration of all sorts of factors. A child should always be with the person that is regarded as the safest or best person for their general welfare.
Q: How long does a child have to be away from home to be counted as missing?
Jambo
A: There is no time limit. A baby could be regarded as missing if they have been gone for a few seconds. The first hours of an enquiry are crucial. What is important if your child goes missing is that you act sensibly (which may be difficult) and think what the child is likely to do.
Check friends, favourite places and so on (you would be amazed at how many missing children are found in their own home or garden!) as this will help the police to help you. If you have the slightest concern that a child is in danger, call 999.
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