THE News
of the World THE News of the World has teamed up
with the Association of British
Travel Agents and the
Federation of Tour Operators to lanch a major initiative to
keep our children safe on holiday-Code Madeleine.
Our worldwide
alert system- named after missing Madeleine McCann, snatched
from her family's Portuguese holiday apartment three months
ago-will ensure rapid, effective action in the vital first
few hours of a suspected abduction
RECORD £1.5M REWARD
The landmark
project, which will automatically trigger a security
clampdown and searches, has the full backing of the
four-year-old's parents, Kate and Gerry, and the biggest
names in travel. Last night Gerry McCann said: "Kate and
I fully endorse Code Madeleine We'd like
to thank everyone in the British travel industry and the
News of the World
for taking the initiative in
setting up this scheme to help protect families away from
home." Code
Madeleine-based on the hugely successful Code Adam that
operates in shopping malls and public buildings across
America-embraces a simple six-point plan of measures. As soon as
the alarm is raised it will kick-start an immediate
co-ordinated hunt by all the parties concerned-holiday
companies, hoteliers, police and the child's family.
Had our new
code been in place when little Maddie was abducted from the
Praia da Luz apartment, while her parents were dining just
yards away, the procedures could have foiled the snatch. The scheme is
backed by the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), whose
members take 18 MILLION Brits abroad each year, AND the
Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Among the big
names who have thrown full support behind us are Teletext
First Choice, BA Holidays, Thomas Cook, My Travel,
Thomson Holidays, Virgin Holidays and Cosmos.
Action
Their
employees will be trained in a set procedure covering the
six-point SOS plan. Look for the Code Madeleine symbol when
booking holidays to be sure staff are ready for action.Andy Cooper,
Director General of the FTO, said: "We're pleased to have
helped develop Code Madeleine and hope it will bring
added reassurance to millions. All of our major members
have agreed to support and adopt it."Child
protection charity Child Safe's spokesman said: "We
wholeheartedly applaud and support you." Independent
hoteliers and operators who want to sign up to Code
Madeleine should email newsdesk@notw.co.uk for details.
