Noor Says NoWhat is an AMBER Alert, and what do you do when you get one?
Sources reviewed on November 1, 2026. Based on public advice, see below.
An AMBER Alert is a message for the most serious child-abduction cases. Police issue it, and it reaches people through radio, TV, road signs and cellphones, so the public can help find a child. Read the details, look around, and call 911 if you see the child or the vehicle.
Who sends it, and where?
Law enforcement issues the alert. NCMEC says alerts are broadcast through radio, TV, road signs, cellphones and other data-enabled devices.
The system is used in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Indian country, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and in other countries too. Our two sources give different numbers of other countries, 27 and 45, so we leave that out here.
Does it work?
As of December 31, 2025, about 1,300 children had been recovered due to an AMBER Alert: NCMEC says 1,313, the US Department of Justice 1,312. NCMEC says at least 253 of those were due to a Wireless Emergency Alert on a phone, and that alerts are usually resolved within hours.
What do you do when you get one?
- Read the description of the child, the suspect and any vehicle.
- Look around you, especially on the road.
- If you see them, call 911 and share where and when. Do not approach anyone yourself.
These steps are our summary. The sources explain the system more than what to do as a bystander.
What do you say if your child sees the alert?
Keep it short and calm. "A child is missing and the police are asking everyone to look. Lots of people are helping." Then go on with your day. Most children don't need more than that. You do not need to discuss what might have happened.
What if it is your own child?
Call the police first. Read what to do if your child is lost or missing. The police decide whether to issue an alert.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn these alerts off?
Phone settings differ. NCMEC's page lists how to receive alerts. We suggest leaving them on, since phones are one of the ways these alerts spread.
Does the UK have AMBER Alerts?
Our sources mention use in other countries but do not confirm how it works in the UK, so we won't say. Call 999 in any emergency.
Keep reading
- Your child is lost or missing: what do you do first?
- Is stranger danger still good advice?
- How do you teach your child to call 911 or 999?
All topics are in the overview of parents' questions. The big picture is in the guide How do you help keep your child safe? A guide for parents. Want to practice this with your child? That's why the picture book Noor Says No was made.
Sources
Each source was read on November 1, 2026. These organizations are not connected to this site or the book.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: AMBER Alerts.
- U.S. Department of Justice: AMBER Alert program.
This is general information, not a replacement for professional help. Worried about a child? In the US, call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453. In the UK, call the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000. Immediate danger: call 911 or 999.
