Countries must now act on child alert system - Watson

12.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Sep 2008

Graham Watson commented earlier today:

"Gerry and Kate McCann must be congratulated for their hard work in achieving this success. Successful schemes already operate in France and the US. Such a system could prove its worth in ensuring the safe recovery of Europe's missing children."

The plan would mean that if a child went missing in the EU or neighbouring states, there would be an immediate alert to news media, police and border authorities with a photo, any available information and a common European '116...' telephone hotline number to call.

The declaration also calls for a common organisation to give training and assistance to national bodies with photo and basic details in the news media and police and border officials on the lookout.

Graham added:

"MEPs have been pushing EU states for well over decade to set up a European register for missing children. Last year we persuaded them to agree hotlines with a common EU number in each country, but not all have done so. We need the political will to deliver action; this would be a fitting tribute to the McCann family and all the others suffering the agony of a missing child."