More than half a million bracelets from the child locator program have been awarded since 2012, of which almost 58,000 in 2023, according to data from the PSP, which is going to extend the age for awarding this device to 15 years.
Since it was created in 2012, the “Estou aqui! Crianças” (“I’m here! Children”) program has distributed more than 540,500 bracelets, of which 57,927 in 2023 and 2,717 this year, according to PSP data released today in a statement.
In 12 years, the PSP program has promoted the rapid reunion of 53 children, whose whereabouts were momentarily unknown, with their families, and this year it promoted “the reunion between an autistic child and his mother”.
Next Wednesday morning, the PSP is presenting the 2024 edition of “Estou aqui! Crianças”, at an event at Telheiras Primary School, in Lisbon.
According to the PSP, around three hundred pre-school and primary school children are taking part in the initiative, with the presence of the PSP mascot, Falco, and a performance by the PSP Music Band, among other activities.
“The great novelty of the 2024 edition is the extension of the age range of children who can be covered by this Program”, which is now “aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 15 (and not just up to the age of 10) and has a unique alphanumeric code, unrelated to any personal data”.
“Estou aqui! Crianças” is an exclusive and pioneering program by the Public Security Police, in partnership with MEO, the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rádio Comercial, Missing Children Europe, the Institute for Child Support and the Directorate-General for School Establishments.
Its main objective is to speed up the work of tracing a missing child and promoting their rapid return to their family.
“If the child wearing the bracelet gets lost, any adult who finds it only needs to contact the PSP via the national emergency number (112) and tell them where it is and what code the bracelet has on it,” explains the PSP.
After this contact, the Public Security Police immediately make every effort to ensure the child’s safety, inform the family and ensure that the family is reunited.
Joining “Estou aqui! Crianças” does not entail any cost and the bracelet is valid until the end of the calendar year in which it is purchased.
The wristbands are valid throughout the country and can be requested for both children residing in Portugal and non-residents, for example children going on vacation.
Wristbands must be ordered via the “Estou aqui! Crianças”, whose address is: https://estouaqui.mai.gov.pt/Pages/Home.htm
The platform is managed solely by the PSP and personal data is used exclusively in the context of the program.
The PSP urges parents or guardians to explain to the child that if they get disoriented and don’t recognize anyone around them, they should stay where they are.
“If you see a policeman, you should go to him immediately and ask for help,” she recommends, stressing that “if someone approaches the child, they should know that they can show their bracelet” and ask them to call 112 and indicate the alphanumeric code written on it.
If the bracelet is lost or damaged, or if the alphanumeric code becomes illegible, parents or guardians can request a replacement on the program’s official website, says the PSP.
