Found lost child

●Moderate

Call 112

⚠️ Check: Is the area safe for you to approach?

Misidentification
Traffic
Wrongful accusation

Quick summary

Talk calmly. Go together to shop or police. Stay in public. Call 1098.

Do This Now

Step 1: Approach calmly at child eye level in a busy visible spot
Step 2: Ask: "Are you lost? Let's find a safe helper together."
Step 3: Take child to nearest shop staff, security, or police — stay in public
Step 4: Do not leave until official helper takes over
Step 5: Call 1098 or 112 if no venue staff available

Do Not

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT take child to your home or private car without police.

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give food except water if staff approves — allergy unknown.

How to Call for Help

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — 1098 Childline. 112 if immediate danger or no staff.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Venue PA lost-child announcement if available.

When Professional Care Is Needed

Hand over to uniformed staff or police — do not transport child alone in private vehicle if avoidable.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Police verify identity before release to claimant.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Medical check if child injured or very young and alone long.

Know your limits: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Comfort and escort to official helper. Police or venue staff lead reunification.

Call 112

This helper does not contact emergency services. You must call yourself.

Call 112

Learn more

When you are safe, you can read more about this emergency.

Full guide and explanation →

Before you help

Before you help: If possible, ask the person for permission before helping. If they cannot respond and are in danger, help anyway.

Draft guidance — professional review pending.

In a serious emergency, always call 112 for professional help. AidNow content is under active review and should not replace professional medical advice.

Current step: Step 1 of 5

Call 112

Found lost child — Do This Now | AidNow