Two Westside BID street wardens played a vital part in helping to locate and reunite a missing six-year-old child with his parents.
An appeal was put out by West Midlands Police after the boy was reported missing from the Ladywood area on Tuesday 7 January.
The police alert was picked up by wardens Casey Hocknull and Matthew Weir, who circulated the boy’s description on a Westside managers’ WhatsApp group. This led to the youngster being spotted safe and well in Broadway Plaza.
Pete Willis, the senior street warden at Westside BID, said: “Casey and Matthew were on their normal patrol in Broad Street when a radio call came through from the Police Camera Control Room saying they were looking for a six-year-old child. They gave his description and asked the wardens if they could assist with the search.
“We actually have a managers’ group on WhatsApp made up of Westside businesses, such as restaurants and bars. Casey and Matthew made the decision to put the boy’s description on the WhatsApp group, and this was picked up by Broadway Plaza security control room.”
Added Pete: “They informed Casey and Matthew that they could see a child on their own, so the wardens updated the Police Camera Control Room and they alerted police officers who went to Broadway Plaza and located the boy and returned him to his parents.
“This is a very good example of the role of our street wardens who, in this instance, worked collaboratively with key stakeholders including the police to help locate this vulnerable child and reunite him with his family.”
ENDS
