POLICE have announced a scheme aimed at saving the lives of abducted children.

In partnership with the local media, the police are rolling out the Child Rescue Alert (CRA) scheme, which was developed to save the lives of abducted children in the crucial first few hours after they are snatched,

Other forces in Britain are already part of the scheme with more set to pledge their support.

Child Rescue Alert relies on the broadcast of a quick appeal for information on television and radio.

A CRA may only be issued on the authority of the senior investigating officer, and only if there is reasonable belief that the child has been kidnapped, is in imminent danger and there is sufficient information to enable the public to help locate the missing child.

Under the terms of an agreement between the force and broadcasters, the key information will be distributed quickly and repeatedly.

Detective Inspector Mick Moore said: "We are still rolling out Child Rescue Alert, but the support from local broadcasters has been superb.

"They are, rightly, seeing it as an opportunity to use their immediacy as a crucial tool in spreading an urgent, potentially life-saving, message across great distances."

He said newspapers could also help, adding: "The print media can play an important part by quickly copying CRA messages onto their websites.

"Past experience has shown that North Yorkshire's newspapers are always quick to give fast, practical support to any police operation clearly aimed at preserving life.

"A great deal of work has been done, and more will need to be done to maintain the CRA system, yet it is our fervent hope that we never experience the sort of situation when we actually have to launch such an alert.

"CRA is a partnership between public, media and police and I am convinced its value would be immense if we ever have to use it.