The 10-year-old, multiple limited Hebe from Vught has been missing since Monday evening, together with her supervisor Sanne. The police immediately sounded the alarm and issued an AMBER Alert on Tuesday morning. Since then, a major search has been underway. Why, when and how often is an AMBER Alert sent?
1. What is an AMBER Alert?
The police always send an AMBER Alert when a missing child is in mortal danger. Since 2021, the notification has been sent via the Burgernet app. The information is also shared via (national) media and social media. The AMBER Alert is also shared on matrix signs above highways and digital screens at train and bus stations, at airports, at shops and gas stations.
2. When will an AMBER Alert be sent?
The police do not immediately send an AMBER Alert every time a child goes missing. The backgrounds of a missing person can differ. In addition, the police have several options for tracing missing people. If a child appears to be in mortal danger, the police decides to send an AMBER Alert.
3. How often is an AMBER Alert sent?
According to the police, an average of two national and eight regional alerts are issued per year. As far as is known, an AMBER Alert has been issued for three children in Brabant. In addition to Hebe, an alert was also sent for the missing Hannah (2018) and Celine (2020).
4. What is the reach of AMBER Alert?
AMBER Alerts are massively shared on Facebook, Instagram, retweeted on Twitter or seen on TV, big screens, highway signs and advertising masts. In total, more than twelve million people are reached. In the Burgernet app, under the heading AMBER Alert posters to download to distribute when a child is missing. This can extend the range even further.
5. What should I do if I see a missing child?
Notify the police immediately. You can do this via the investigation line: 0800-6070. Do not take action yourself. but leave it to the professionals. In general, nine out of ten AMBER Alerts end well.
5. Why is it called an AMBER Alert?
The AMBER Alert is named after the American girl Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996 at the age of nine. As a result of that case, an AMBER Alert was introduced in America, first in various states and then nationally. Following on from this, the Amber Alert has also been developed and introduced in several other countries.
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