KENT Police will now use instant broadcast messages in the event of a child under 18 being abducted.

If police believe a missing child has been abducted, a Child Rescue Alert (CRA) will be shown on local television and radio in the first crucial hours.

Det Ch Supt Greg Barry, who is heading up the scheme, said: "Every parent's worst nightmare is to have their child abducted. When we believe a child has been taken we will immediately ask for help from the public to be our eyes and ears across the county.

"There will be regular messages on television and radio with a number to call us on."

The alerts will remain active for a period of four hours. A CRA has only ever been used once before in Sussex.