Child abduction and community safety incidents

We recognise child abduction as the unauthorised removal or retention of a minor from a parent or anyone with legal responsibility for the child. Child abduction can be committed by parents or other family members; by people known but not related to the victim (such as neighbours, friends and acquaintances); and by strangers.

We know that other community safety incidents in the vicinity of our setting can raise concerns amongst children and parents, for example, people loitering nearby or unknown adults engaging children in conversation.

As children get older and are granted more independence (for example, as they start walking to school on their own) we will give them practical advice on how to keep themselves safe. This may include outdoor-safety lessons run by teachers or other professionals. We will aim to build on building children’s confidence and abilities rather than simply warning them about all strangers.