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By Felicity Ussher, 15 March 2000 00:25

NEWS The first international database of missing children has finally been extended to the UK with the launch of missingkids.co.uk. The online archive is funded and hosted by Computer Associates, and lets police and customs authorities locate missing children via graphical images. Previously, they relied on text-only descriptions, often in only one language. The original site, Missingkids.com, started in Washington, DC, three years ago in partnership with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Since then, it has expanded to Belgium, Brazil, Holland, Italy and Korea. Charles Clarke, UK Home Minister, said the Web site prompted true international co-operation between governments. He told Silicon.com at the launch: "It's a tremendous advance because putting the actual photographs of missing people on the screen - and having them on the Web, you have a real possibility that police forces can find out if they've come across the person." When asked why this governmental project relied on the inspiration - and funding - of a computer software company, Clarke said: "What you find in a wide variety of public services is that it's the software companies which understand the new technology, understand the potential applications and so often come up with a clever solution." He added: "The question ought not to be, 'Why isn't the Home Office doing it?' but rather how can the Home Office - and for that matter, other government departments - get a much more active partnership and dialogue with software companies and others in the business?" Computer Associates owns, hosts and brands the service worldwide, and has paid full development and training costs. Implementation of the missingkids in the UK is the responsibility of ACPO, the Association of Chief Police Officers. They will ensure that photographs of children are only uploaded with the agreement of their parents, and that key information is kept from the public.