There are four key criteria, all of which must be met before a Child Rescue Alert is issues, these are:
- A child under the age of 18 is missing;
- There is a reasonable belief that the child has been kidnapped or abducted;
- There is a reasonable belief that the child is in imminent danger of serious harm or death;
- There is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist the police in locating the child.