AMBER Alert Europe Foundation
AMBER Alert Europe is a foundation that assists in saving missing children at risk by connecting law enforcement with other police experts and with the public across Europe. AMBER Alert Europe advocates that one missing child is one too many and aims for zero missing children in Europe.
Network of knowledge and expertise
AMBER Alert Europe brings together 42 official organisations, public authorities and business entities from 26 countries. The foundation actively contributes to the EU and national policy debate on saving missing children. AMBER Alert Europe also officially facilitates the Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP), so far consisting of over 80 experts from 31 countries, and the Task Force on AMBER Alerts. The goals of AMBER Alert Europe are backed by 465 Members of the European Parliament.
AMBER Alert Europe is a neutral platform. It operates either evidence based (scientifically proven) or expert based. All activities are executed with respect for the privacy of missing persons and data protection laws.
Background
In 2008, AMBER Alert Netherlands was launched. With a reach of more than 12 million Dutch citizens, AMBER Alert Netherlands quickly became an example of how citizen sourcing can work; in 94 percent of the cases, the child was successfully found.
The creation of AMBER Alert Europe
Inspired by the success of the Dutch AMBER Alert, the AMBER Alert Europe foundation was launched in 2013 with the following goal:
- To be a life-saving factor in abductions or disappearances of children throughout Europe;
- To undertake any further actions necessary related to achieving or advancing the above-mentioned goal, in the broadest sense.
Police Expert Network on Missing Persons
The Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP), founded by the AMBER Alert Europe foundation, is officially recognised by the Council of the European Union and all member states. The PEN-MP is the official European missing persons police network consisting of police experts in the field of missing persons from all over Europe. So far, the PEN-MP consists of over 80 law enforcement experts from 31 countries. Goal of the PEN-MP is to bring together law enforcement experts in the field of missing persons, specifically children.
In order to save more missing persons across Europe, members can quickly contact and consult each other about missing person cases. The PEN-MP also provides specialist support, advice, and training to its members.
Official recognition by the Council of the EU
The PEN-MP was announced in 2016 under the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At its launch, the Dutch Presidency called on every Member State to appoint a national contact for the network. In support of the Dutch initiative, a majority of 465 Members of the European Parliament from all EU Member States signed AMBER Alert Europe’s Written Declaration for better European cooperation on saving the lives of missing children.
The PEN-MP is now officially recognised by the Council of the European Union with its formal affiliation to the Law Enforcement Working Party (LEWP).
Board
Board of Directors
Dr. Petra Binkova
Bureau of Criminal Police and Investigation Unit – Search Department – Czech Police Presidium
Carole Bird
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP ret.)
Frank Hoen
AMBER Alert Europe, Founder and Chairman
Advisory Board
Damjan Miklič
Criminal Police Inspector Specialist at the Slovenian Police Directorate – PEN-MP President
Carmelo Abela
Ministry within the office of the Prime Minister
Caroline Humer
International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
Lars Bruhns
Initiative Vermisste Kinder
Victor Reuter
Grand Ducal Police
Patrícia De Sousa Cipriano
Associação Portuguesa de Crianças Desaparecidas
Rinus van Schendelen
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Henk Jansen
Independent Security and Investigations Professional, former Dutch Police
Maurice Lenferink
Safety Region Rotterdam-Rijnmond
Participating Organisations
Supporting Organisations
Sponsors
Annual and Financial Reports
Recognised by The Netherlands Fundraising Regulator
The Netherlands Fundraising Regulator (CBF) is an independent foundation which has been monitoring fundraising by charities since 1925. The CBF’s task is to promote trustworthy fundraising and expenditure by reviewing fundraising organisations and giving information and advice to government institutions and the public.
