The Independent's SafeCall campaign backed by Powell

Labour’s deputy leader has joined prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and a wide range of public figures from across Britain in backing The Independent’s incredible SafeCall campaign.

- TARA COBHAM

Lucy Powell hailed the “innovative” new service for missing young people, saying it would help address the “distress and damage” caused when children disappear, often at moments of acute vulnerability.

SafeCall, a free national lifeline run in partnership with the charity Missing People, can now be launched after readers helped the campaign reach its £165,000 target over Christmas, enabling support to be extended to thousands of children at risk of going missing each year.

Teenagers remain the most likely to go missing, with those aged 12 to 17 accounting for 61 per cent of all incidents, yet many say there is still no service designed to meet their needs.

SafeCall will provide a way to reach out that feels safe and secure, with anonymity guaranteed and support available at any hour. The free service will expand Missing People’s reach through a dedicated helpline, a WhatsApp channel, a 24-hour chatbot and a website offering advice written for young people.

In a powerful call to action, the MP for Manchester Central said: “I know from my own constituency the distress and damage disappearances can mean for families and to those going missing themselves, often some of the most vulnerable in our communities, putting themselves at greater risk by leaving loved ones and support networks and services behind, or fleeing exploitation only to become more isolated.

“That children can go missing so easily in this day and age should worry us all, and it’s great to see The Independent shining a light on this important issue and its readers taking action to support Missing People and this innovative new SafeCall service built by children for children.”