West Wittering Estate explains what happens when a child goes missing at the beach

Parents have been urged to keep an eye out for their children when at the beach.
at least seven children were found safe after being reported missing at West Wittering beach between Thursday and Saturday, during the UK heatwave. Photo: Steve Robardsat least seven children were found safe after being reported missing at West Wittering beach between Thursday and Saturday, during the UK heatwave. Photo: Steve Robards
at least seven children were found safe after being reported missing at West Wittering beach between Thursday and Saturday, during the UK heatwave. Photo: Steve Robards

It comes after at least seven children were found safe after being reported missing at West Wittering beach between Thursday and Saturday, during the UK heatwave.

A Selsey Coastguard spokesperson said: “Please keep an eye on your children at all times when visiting the beach.”

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Over recent years, West Wittering Estate has introduced child safe wristbands, which allow parents to display their contact number on the child’s wrist should they go missing.

“They can be collected at the lifeguard tower and are also handed out by beach patrol staff,” a spokesperson said.

"Like many other large beaches, missing persons, predominantly children, can be an issue on hot busy days.

"The West Wittering Estate works to a missing persons protocol developed in conjunction with Sussex Police and the Coastguard, with the vast majority of children reported missing reunited with their parents within ten minutes.

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"An assessment is made on each individual case, and if a person isn't found within 20 minutes, the procedure then is to notify Coastguard and police.

"West Wittering Estate lifeguards and beach patrol will then work with the Coastguard and police to relocate the missing person."

The West Wittering Estate also; puts out social media posts advising parents to be mindful; deploys additional beach patrol teams to remind parents and hand out wristbands and there are announcements from the lifeguard tower throughout the day.

This has helped to 'steadily reduce the number of missing people' for the past three years, the estate said.

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