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1.1. This policy has been reviewed in January 2025, amendments have been made to paragraphs 2.3, 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 7 and title updated.
2.1. This policy focuses on child abduction / potential child abduction of a child by persons connected / unconnected to that child with the intention of taking or sending the child out of the United Kingdom without the appropriate consent or failing to return them. However, other abduction circumstances are also covered.
2.2. The child abduction offences are under the Child Abduction Act 1984.
2.3. It does not cater for the 'live' kidnap of a child. This will be treated as a crime in action which is dealt with under SO1700 – Crime in Action
Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.
3.1. The Children Act 2004 places a duty on officers to promote and safeguard the welfare of children. From the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 Guidance - All police officers and other police employees, such as Police Community Support Officers, are well placed to identify early when a child’s welfare is at risk and when a child may need protection from harm. Children have the right to the full protection offered by criminal law.
3.2. Kent Police MUST respond to all reports of a child abduction and will also aim to prevent an abduction taking place with a view to keeping a child within UK and British jurisdiction.
4.1. Finance / Staffing / Training / Other
4.1.1. There are no known additional financial implications other than those routinely incurred with these types of investigation.
4.1.2. All officers and staff involved in protecting and safeguarding children will receive appropriate training and refresher training according to their roles.
4.2. Risk Assessment
4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as having a medium risk.
4.3. Equality Impact Assessment by Policy Holder
4.3.1. An equality impact assessment has been conducted and shows the proposals in this procedure would have no potential or an actual differential impact on any protected characteristics. This SOP is assessed as being low risk.
o Head of Public Protection Command
o Public Protection and Crime Command DIs
o Major Crime Department
o Finance
o Human Resources
o IT Security
o Legal
o Freedom of Information
o Health and Safety
o Duty DIs
o CP/AP DIs
6.1. Monitoring of this policy will be the responsibility of the Head of Public Protection Command via the Public Protection Development Team.
6.2. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in January 2027.
7.1. Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 – Information Management).
8.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal Policy (Policy W1012 – Records Review, Retention and Disposal).
Policy reference: Child Abduction Act 1984: Policy (N09)
Contact point: Head of Protecting Vulnerable People and Partnerships
Date last reviewed: June 2022
If you require any further information or to request any documentation referenced within the policy please email [email protected]. For general enquiries, contact us.