I found a lost child, it was scary for me too

I was in The Chimes shopping centre in Uxbridge, just leaving Boots and making my way over to HMV, where my wife and son were looking at the mystery boxes. While making the very short walk, a little dude walked right in front of me, it was a miracle I didn't trip over him, or worse kick the poor mite. He looked about 3 years old, a little Asian chap, seemed to be tailing someone, he looked like he had somewhere to be, but something didn't feel right. He didn't look like he was following anyone in particular. I noticed a couple of girls working in one of the outlets watch him run by, so i wasn't alone in noticing what seemed to be happening.

I followed him as I was sure he was lost, but I didn't want to just grab the child, as someone watching might think I was trying to take him, which I know sounds mad, but for an adult man, we have to unfortunately think this way. There was two young girls sitting on a bench who I asked to assist and grab the little guy, who by now was moving quite fast, they just stared at me, as if I was talking in a foreign language.

As he was heading towards an exit and busy bus only road i become even more concerned, still tailing the dude, I asked a group of Mums grouped in a shop doorway for help, but they also seemed to be confused with the situation. Rushing back to HMV, I shouted for my good wife to come and assist. She must have understood the urgency in my voice because she was by my side a few secs later. I pointed out the runaway super sprinter, who's hand she immediately took and on boy, he was not a happy Chappy. Obviously scared out of his mind and unable to understand English, my heart melted for him.

We entered the nearest shop and asked them to radio security, but unfortunately their radio was on the blink. But the nice young shop worker did volunteer to go and find someone to help. By this time the boy was tugging at my wife, wanted to be let go, I guess to continue with his onward journey to nowhere. I commented to a woman that I had't picked the kid up or took his hand, as I am a guy and we know what that can look like, she sadly agreed.

With still no one on scene to assist we headed back towards where I initially found the now almost hysterical lad and thankfully noticed a security guard in the distance, who was leisurely learning against a shop window, chatting to the shop assistant who had gone looking for help. With the lack or urgency on his part, we decided to walk over to him.

At least 5 minutes had now passed and yet still no one had noticed their 3 year old had gone AWOL. I'm not judging by the way, as I had 4 little ones of my own, who are now all grown up, and I remember losing one of them while visiting Euro Disney is Paris. I'd only taken my eyes off him for a few secs and he was gone in a flash. Thankfully a nice family had seen him in distress and waited with him until we located them. That was scary for us and him.

When we reach the security guard, I mention that there are hardly any guards on duty, and that we had searched high and low, he simply said he had only just come on duty and that there was an information desk upstairs, helpful.

Anyway, we explained the situation and with what seemed like some reluctance, he radioed his control room, explaining he was with a lost child who was very distressed, and distressed the little dude was. My wife was trying her hardest to calm him, but nothing was working.

Then out of no where, the little tykes mum arrives, uniting both mother and child. As expected she was upset, angry and relieved. She repeatedly thanked us and apologised to the guard, who was still standing there, acting as useful as a chocolate teapot. With no thanks for him, we smiled and departed, hoping the little man wasn't left too traumatised.

The lessons learnt today are to never under estimate how quickly your little ones can do a runner. All they need to do is see someone who resembles their Mum or Dad leave a shop, and with the fear they have been left behind, can be off in a shot following a random person. And secondly, how said it is that I spent more time trying to find someone female to assist me, than I did trying to calm the poor kid, as I was fearful of what it may look like. Don't get me wrong, if he has made it to the exit I would have had no choice but to have grabbed him. Lastly, why is there no security personnel when you most need them?