A RETAIL centre in Huddersfield has introduced a new scheme to help parents find children who have become separated from them while out shopping.
The Pack Horse Centre has launched its Child Safe Shopping Scheme with a hotline for parents and guardians to call the centre’s security team, who will carry out a co-ordinated search and use CCTV to reunite them with their children.
The scheme has already been introduced in more than 90 shopping centres across the UK since its launch in 2003, but has never previously operated in Huddersfield.
The initiative provides children with free wristbands which can carry the mobile phone numbers of parents and guardians so that if a child is found wandering the centre, their parents or guardians can be contacted quickly.
The Pack Horse Centre Child Safe helpline number is displayed on bright, eye-catching posters throughout the shopping centre. When a parent or guardian calls 08700 622731 they will be connected directly to the security team.
Centre spokesman David Heathcote-Smith said: “Child Safe has been operating successfully in more than 90 shopping centres across the country, so we are delighted to be the first business in Huddersfield to introduce the scheme.
“The scheme gives shoppers peace of mind and reassures them that if their child gets lost this service can assist in finding them quickly.”
Richard Manville, director and co-founder of Child Safe, said: “We are thrilled to launch the first Child Safe scheme in Huddersfield and are pleased to be working with The Packhorse Centre, who have been very supportive in coordinating the scheme.”
