I had never given this much thought but I can see the sense of the ban. I totally support it.

I have never been in this situation, but can only hope that every place that this has been enacted, the staff are extremely well trained for locating the child quickly! CCTV should be making this easier these days.

I agree this is a great idea but they should let the parents know how they go about looking for the missing child.

I can see why they do this, and I think ultimately its keeping the kids safe, and thats the most important thing

It’s sad that it has to be like this but necessary. I see both sides of view.

I too can see both points of view.

I don’t agree with this policy. The first 30 minutes is vital in finding a child. That’s why we have Amber alerts detailing what they wear etc. I don’t see the predatory point of this. Better to have a hundred people searching against the possibility of one predator.

I like the new policy as long as the staff are helpful and do all go and look for the child.

I support it as if there is someone in the store that has less than honorable intentions it makes it easy for them to grab and go. If the store pulls staff in to look that’s probably more effective anyway

Perhaps they could do something else – like have a code that lets the staff members know that there is a missing child so that they can keep on eye out for the child or help search.

I wonder how many cases they have had where a child has been picked up by a predator after an announcement? Seems to me that maybe they are getting a bit too paranoid. Only way to avoid this is never be distracted enough to not know where your kids are at all times, teach them to hold on to you or the shopping trolley at all times.

I think they should still use announcements. If there is a predator, they are going to see a child alone anyway. If it was announced and they started looking, it would be very obvious as the whole store would be aware. I think it would make grabbing a kid harder knowing the whole store is looking for them. If a predator had the kid, he’d be stopped quickly. Hopefully. I’m not sure if there have been kidnaps though.

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  • • musicmum replied
    • 19 Aug 2019 , 11:06 pm

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  I agree with your comments, they could still make an announcement and more people would have their eyes out to hopefully protect the child.

I work in retail on SA and we still do the announcements, usually the child is in distress (as well as the parents) and it’s the safest way to get the situations resolved as quickly as possible.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 21 Aug 2019 , 2:11 am

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  I agree

I actually think this is a good thing unfortunately in this day and age you just don’t know who’s in the store. As long as all team members working are aware and the look of im sure the child will be found quickly and safely

I can see both points of view.

Oh!this takes me back…. my sister was a wanderer in malls. Three times probably mum used the security with their intercom. My sister would just go quick and unexpectedly.
But yes I can see the cons in those who ruin it by being child predators. Taking advantage of such a message over speaker.

Pros and cons of both the things but yeah this might be a bit hard on the parents to find the kids. But definitely helps with the kids safety.

I can see why it has been stopped and as long as the staff are made aware of it and can search for the child, it really has to be a safer way to go for kids.

interesting article, made me think hard about it

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 20 Aug 2019 , 4:45 am

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  Made me ponder too – on both sides of reasoning.

Once explained it makes more sense.