'Code Madeleine' launched

Saturday, 21 February 2009

"All of our major members have agreed to support Code Madeleine and adopt the six-point plan to help make children safer while on holiday."



Code Madeleine launched to keep children safe

A new initiative backed by Madeleine McCann's parents will be launched to help keep children safe on holiday.

The six point plan - named Code Madeleine - outlines what parents should do if their child goes missing.

The code - similar to the Code Adam scheme in the US which is named after abducted six-year-old Adam Walsh - was developed by the Federation of Tour Operators, the Association of British Travel Agents and the News of the World.

The objective of Code Madeleine is to trigger a system of securing premises and systematically searching for a missing child in the critical hours immediately after they are reported missing.

Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate McCann are supporting the scheme.
"Kate and I fully endorse the Code Madeleine scheme", Mr McCann said.
"Kate and I hope that this new code will help protect British families when they are on holiday."

The six points are:
Hotel management or holiday company staff to immediately obtain a photograph and detailed description of the missing child, and to assist parents in liaising with the police.

Designated employee to page Code Madeleine via nearest in-house telephone - implementing the procedure of circulating the photograph and communicating a detailed description of the missing child throughout the hotel.

Hotel staff, supported by holiday company representatives on the premises, to assist in search of public areas and to monitor entrances and exits from the premises.

If the missing child is not found within 10 minutes of initial search of public areas, parent to take decision to notify local police. Hotel management or holiday company staff to assist.

Hotel management or holiday company staff to use best endeavours to ensure any suspected crime scene area is isolated and kept free of contamination until police arrive.

If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Police will be notified and given details about the person accompanying the child.

Holiday firms will now be asked to sign up to the code and train staff on what to do if a child goes missing.

Andy Cooper, director general of the Federation of Tour Operators, said: "All of our major members have agreed to support Code Madeleine and adopt the six-point plan to help make children safer while on holiday."