Holiday firms launch Code Madeleine

Tour operators, and the parents of missing Madeleine McCann, have launched an initiative to help keep children safe when on holiday.

The Federation of Tour Operators (FTP) has developed a six point plan called Code Madeleine which outlines what holiday resorts and parents can do if a child goes missing.

The plan aims to ensure that information such as a photograph and description is supplied quickly to the police, but also calls on staff to monitor entrances and exits. Steps will also be taken to ensure accommodation or suspected crime scenes are not contaminated.

The six steps are:

1 - Hotel management or holiday company staff to immediately obtain a photograph and detailed description of the missing child, and to assist parents in liaising with the police. It’s recommended that parents bring an up-to-date photograph of their child with them.

2 - Designated employee to page Code Madeleine via nearest in-house telephone – implementing the procedure of circulating the photograph and communicating a detailed description of the missing child throughout the hotel/complex.

3 - Hotel staff, supported by holiday company representatives on the premises, to assist in search of public areas and to monitor entrances/exits from the premises.

4 - If the missing child is not found within 10 minutes of initial search of public areas, parents to take decision to notify local police. Hotel management or holiday company staff to assist.

5 - Hotel management or holiday company staff to use best endeavours to ensure any suspected crime scene area is isolated and kept free of contamination until police arrive.

6 - If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Police will be notified and given details about the person accompanying the child.

Andy Cooper, director general of the Federation of Tour Operators, said: "All of our major members have agreed to support Code Madeleine and adopt the six-point plan to help make children safer while on holiday."

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty