Child rescue alert by SMS - first run

Missing 6 year-old Summer Haipule prompted Sussex police to launch the first ever child rescue alert in Europe. Modelled on the US "Amber Alert", the system is designed to alert local people quickly to the possible abduction of a child.

The alert on Monday night had teething difficulties -- a text message system which sends alerts to mobile phone users did not work -- because the contract the police had with the system provider ran out in May, and the alert was not carried on television until almost three hours after the disappearance. But police said overall they were pleased with how it went, according to The Guardian.

The little girl was later found safe and sound at a neighbour's house.

emily | 12:17 AM | New SMS Services |
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