The NEC has become the first live events business to sign up to the national Child Safe Zones programme, an initiative that aims to provide an easily recognised service to communicate lost child policies and makes a clear statement about visitor safety.
The scheme that will be employed at the Birmingham venue consists of two components, a wristband and a helpline number. It provides an essential tool for handling lost child incidents, allowing security to be rapidly alerted and keeping parents and guardians as calm as possible in a worrying situation. It is equally effective where vunerable adults are at risk and also enhances the security of older children.
Gary Masters, Security and Traffic Manager at the NEC, commented: “The Child Safe Zones programme provides a simple way for members of the public to report concerns over a child’s welfare, and our membership demonstrates our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our visitors.
“We’re already very pro-active when dealing with missing children and we put a big emphasis on our activity in that area, but linking up with Child Safe Zones further enhances our credibility and adds value to our customer experience.”
Child Safe Managing Director Richard Manville added: “The Child Safe Zones programme has been developed to reassure and support parents when visiting busy places with their children and we’re delighted to welcome on board the NEC – the first live events business to sign up with us.
“Child Safe is a truly national scheme, and with leading shopping and retail centres as well as beaches already involved, the inclusion of one of the country’s leading exhibition centres is both exciting and significant.”
The International Convention Centre (ICC), National Indoor Arena (NIA) and LG Arena, also NEC Group venues, are expected to activate their own Child Safe Zones activity soon.
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