in may 2014 a child rescue alert distribution system will be launched which aims to distribute alert messages to members of the public and the media through sms, email, mobile app, website pop-ups, twitter and facebook as well as digital billboards operated by the members of the outdoor media centre. the system is available so that, if the above criteria are met, a police force can rapidly alert the public and ask them to report anything useful on a dedicated police telephone number. sms and email messages can be sent to people who have registered to receive them through the website and who live or work in the vicinity of the disappearance. the system is an initiative of ceop, the child exploitation and on-line protection centre, a command of the national crime agency, and is facilitated by the charity, missing people, which promotes and operates the system. the technology is provided by groupcall. the development, promotion and operation of the system is funded initially by the players of the people's postcode lottery via the dreamfund, the european union and through the help of other supporters.