Malta joins Amber Alert missing child warning system

European Union member states that have not yet adopted the Amber Alert missing children warning system should do so immediately to ensure that as many missing or abducted children as possible are recovered safely, home affairs minister Carmelo Abela said on Tuesday. 

Abela, who was speaking at the launch of the Amber Alert system in Malta, said that although child abduction was not of major concern in Malta, this was not a question of numbers but of ensuring the safe recovery of missing children.

Around 250,000 children are reported missing around the European Union each year, with - in the worst of cases - the children being murdered within three hours of their abduction, he said. 

The Amber Alert is an international system, available in five EU member states and 11 other countries, bringing together law enforcement agencies and technical crews to help connect the police with the public when they feel the life of a child could be in danger. 

Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela urged EU member states to adopt the Amber Alert system as soon as possible

Amber Alerts are issued at the discretion of local law enforcement and would entail an intensive public campaign spread across the airport, ferries, malls, the media and major public spaces on the missing child. 

The vice squad was very well aware of how important a part the public and the media could play in tracing a missing child quickly and safely. 

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to sign up to be part of the warning system network on amberalert.com.mt.