Fear of abduction

My husband is threatening to abduct my children. What should I do?

Abduction is a criminal offence and in the event of any concern you should inform your solicitor immediately as well as the Child Protection Unit at your local police station.

The court has the power to make numerous orders to protect children being taken from their carer and from England and Wales.

Any party can apply for a Prohibited Steps Order or Specific Issue Order but others without parental responsibility will need to obtain leave of the court to apply.

The court can order that passports are held by solicitors or by the court. If the child is in immediate danger of being taken out of the country, the police need to be contacted and provided with specific information in order to carry out an all ports call. This will ensure that every port of exit - air, sea and channel tunnel - will check to see if the child is being taken out of the court's jurisdiction.

Passports

From 15 October 1998 a separate passport must be applied for in respect of a child under the age of 16 years. However, those children already included in a passport may continue to travel on that document after that date until the child attains the age of 16 years, as long as the passport remains valid.

An Order can be obtained from the court to object to passport changes. An abduction pack is available from your solicitors. For further information, call us on 0800 066 99 20.

For further information on passports: the Passport Office, Regional Manager, Newport Passport Office, Olympia House, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Gwent, NP9 1XA; telephone 08705 210410.

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