Avanti West Coast and Railway Children have released a Christmas film to encourage people to be on the lookout for runaway children on the rail network.
One child runs away every five minutes, with many using public transport to do this.
The short film – which is purposefully 5 minutes – encourages people to take notice of their surroundings and help spot the signs of a runaway child.
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BAFTA breakthrough writer and director Daisy-May Hudson wrote and directed Your Presence Is Presents Enough, drawing on her own lived experience of homelessness.
She previously made a feature documentary about her homelessness experience called Half Way. She worked with youth ambassadors from Railway Children to create Your Presence Is Presents Enough.
The film premiered on Avanti West Coast’s YouTube channel on Wednesday.
New research shows that more than one in three adults (34%) admit being more distracted at this time of year, and nearly four in five Brits (78%) couldn’t confidently spot a runaway, leaving many vulnerable young people at risk on the UK’s railways.
Your Presence Is Presents Enough illustrates Railway Children’s AT RISK acronym which outlines the signs to identify a vulnerable child on the transport network. The acronym stands for Attitude, Time of day, Relationship, Instinct, Safety, Keeping a low profile.
Announcements featuring the film’s call to action and explaining what to do and who to contact are being played at stations across the West Coast Main Line throughout the festive period.
Passengers travelling on the West Coast this Christmas will also be reminded of the signs to look out for – with signage installed on benches at Crewe and Stockport, as well as advertising displayed at railway stations across the route.
Over half of Brits (58%) admit they aren’t certain what to do if they suspect a child had run away, while more than a third (38%) wouldn’t think twice about a child traveling alone, and a fifth (20%) of adults say they would never check on a child wearing a school uniform outside school hours. Less than one in five people (19%) correctly know most children use the UK rail network to run away.
With many adults travelling by train more over the festive season, the film’s release has been timed to highlight vulnerable children who may be in danger on the rail network this Christmas.
Natalie Richbell-Beer, Safeguarding and Crime Manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re proud to partner with Railway Children to raise awareness about this important issue. Everyone has a role to play in protecting vulnerable children – especially at Christmas when the railway is at its busiest, which is why we’re asking people to look up during their journey. Our film aims to give those travelling by rail the confidence to spot the signs and report concerns, so we can help keep even more young people safe.”
Rob Capener, Chief Executive at Railway Children, said: “Children can be at risk on the UK transport network for a variety of reasons, so knowing what to look out for is essential. We’re proud to work with Avanti West Coast to raise awareness of how the public can help. If a child appears at risk please tell station staff or text British Transport Police on 61016. Your vigilance could help keep a vulnerable child safe.”
Daisy-May Hudson said: “I am very proud of this film and reminding people what’s important this Christmas – human connection and looking out for one another. It has been a joy creating this with the lived experience Ambassadors to centre what is the most important part of their story – and using that to create something which I hope really strikes a chord with people at this time. I find there is great power in film to deeply see people- and I hope this film captures what it can sometimes feel like this season – but that the hope is always found in how we can relate to one another and how we can make each other feel.”
