Searching for Joshua
EVERY parent will appreciate the agony single mum Emily goes through in the opening instalment of this new series.
Emily’s son, Joshua, 12, has gone AWOL following a row about restricting the use of his tablet.
Because Emily is partially deaf, she hadn’t heard him leave the house. It’s now getting dark, hours have passed and Emily is beside herself.
In Britain someone goes missing every two minutes, and this threepart documentary follows the public services’ race to find them.
The stories in this first episode are gleaned from Darlington police in County Durham. Although there are many missing persons (known as ‘mispers’) reported each week here, officers are particularly concerned for Joshua, who has special needs.
Prone to escaping into a superhero-inspired world of fantasy, Joshua’s immaturity and trusting nature with strangers make him especially vulnerable.
It’s down to Inspector Sarah Honeyman and her team to try to find the youngster before it’s too late. “The biggest fear is that somebody snatches that child,” she says. “As a police officer, you are very well aware that there are more people out there who would do that than people think.”
Five hours after the alarm was raised, CCTV has still turned out no leads on Joshua’s whereabouts. “I feel guilty we shouted at each other,” sobs Emily.
“I’m his mum. I’m supposed to look after him. I just want to know he’s safe and give him a cuddle. I feel ill. I want to be with him.”
Watching this will have you taking your hat off to the police – and holding your own children just that little bit tighter tonight.