Child Abduction

My child has been abducted but I don’t know their whereabouts. What can I do?

You should contact your local police station, your solicitor and also the Reunite advice line who will be able to provide you with further information.

If you are concerned that your child might be abducted in the future, please click here for practical steps you can take in this type of situation.

If your child has been taken abroad you should also contact :

The Ministry of Justice
The International Child Abduction & Contact Unit
Office of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee
81 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1DD

Telephone 020-7911 7127

E-mail : enquiries@offsol.gsi.gov.uk
Website : www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk

Their office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday-Friday

Foreign and Commonwealth Office – Child Abduction Unit

The Child Abduction Unit Section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will also offer assistance to British Nationals affected by parental child abduction. They deal with three broad categories of child abduction :-

Abduction – where a child has been taken overseas without the other parents consent – this is a criminal offence under UK law (except in Scotland)

Wrongful retention – where a child has been retained in a foreign country following an overseas trip.

Threat of abduction – where there is a risk that a child will be taken overseas.

If you are a British National currently resident overseas, please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for details of your nearest British Embassy.

You can contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 020-7008 0878 or out of office hours on 020-7008 1500.

For further information and advice about Child Abduction, please visit the following websites:-

Reunite

Reunite - advice if you are concerned you child may be abducted in future

Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Child Abduction Unit

Parents and Abducted Children Together (PACT)