Huge hunt for ‘hiding craze’ boy of 11 who spent night in IKEA

Mr Mirza, of Sheffield, said on Facebook: “He went and did this ‘stay in IKEA for overnight and not get caught challenge’.

“A few weeks ago I saw on his mobile history he searched for ‘24 hours stay in school and go undetected’.

“I confronted him and asked him and he said, ‘Oh I heard this in school and was just looking it up’.

“I thought nothing of it as I believed him but maybe I shouldn’t have.

“But he has been watching videos and checking the web for all this and then deleting it and never left a clue. “He planned it quite well.” Mr Mirza warned parents to keep a closer eye on their children’s online activities.

He said: “Look at their phones, tablets, anything they have got and go through their history to see anything that’s abnormal.”

Detective Inspector Anna Sedgwick said: “To many young people, this internet craze may seem like a bit of fun that is impressive on social media.

“However, the risks and harm that could be caused are by no means humorous and could be catastrophic.

“Warehouses and shopping Kaden Mirza, 11, right, sparked a massive hunt after he hid overnight in Ikea’s Sheffield store, left. His father Abid has warned other parents to beware of internet dare departments contain large quantities of heavy stock and items that could easily fall and crush someone.

“There is also the potential risk of electrical faults and fires, which could have devastating consequences.”

An IKEA spokesman said: “We appreciate people want to create fun experiences with us but we do not allow this kind of activity in our stores.”