Kentish Express Ashford & District
Keep your children in safe hands
Lost children can be reunited with their parents after a new wristband scheme was launched at busy shopping areas.
The Ashford and Weald Partnership Against Crime has 65 retailers and stores involved in the new Child Safe initiative.
The partnership distributes radios to members as part of a scheme supported by the council and Kent Police to keep an eye on shoplifters and to help prevent crime.
But now partnership manager Rebecca Molloy says it can also be used to help children or vulnerable people who get separated or wander off from their parents or guardians.
Ms Molloy said: “Quite often we will hear a broadcast regarding lost children, so we have decided to launch Ashford Child Safe to relocate parents to their children quicker.
“Reports of lost children happen often enough for us to have decided that we should take some action.
“The scheme is being supported by shops, super- markets and shopping malls, and we hope it can also encourage people to use it to help report people who might be vulnerable as well.
“With half term and then Christmas coming up we’d like parents and visit
Businesses which participate in the scheme are given a poster depicting a happy red apple to display in the front window. They have trained staff wearing the happy apple badge who can look after children in a designated child friendly area inside.
Parents can then ask for a disposable paper wristband, where they can write a contact number so they can be contacted straight away.
Wristbands will be available from stores in County Square, Park Mall, the Designer Outlet and shops and businesses in the High Street such as McDonalds.