PM backs Independent bid to protect missing children

Sir Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind The Independent’s SafeCall campaign to help reach every missing child, saying that all young people “deserve safety”.

- KATE DEVLIN WHITEHALL EDITOR

The appeal, run with the charity Missing People, has now received more than £75,000 in donations as momentum builds behind efforts to launch a new 24-hour service for young people in crisis.

In a powerful call to action, the prime minister hailed the campaign, saying: “Every child deserves safety and support, which is why this initiative, designed by young people with young people in mind, is so important. I commend all those working to make this service a reality and urge those who can to consider supporting this cause.”

The Independent’s goal is to raise £165,000 to fund SafeCall, a free service for young people contemplating running away, currently missing, or unsure where to turn.

The charity currently reaches about one in four of the 70,000 children reported missing each year. With readers’ support, SafeCall aims to reach many more by offering round-the-clock contact through a dedicated helpline, WhatsApp channel, chatbot and website created with young people.

Sir Keir joins actor and writer Sir Stephen Fry, campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, former England captain Sir David Beckham and the crime writer Sir Ian Rankin among the prominent figures backing the appeal.