IT’S every parent’s nightmare to be out shopping, turn your back for a second and find that your child has wandered off.

But a new scheme at the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford aims to give mothers and fathers some extra peace of mind.

The centre is offering parents free wristbands to put on their children, including the centre’s phone number and space to put their emergency contact details.

Centre manager Brendan Hattam said: “We take child safety very seriously and our owner, Land Securities, has been developing this for a few years.

“It’s a very simple idea and a lot of people take advantage of it.

“We’ve never had a serious incident here, but this just allows parents to take an extra precaution and have that peace of mind.”

Anyone interested in getting a Little Shopper Stay Safe wristband should call in at the shopping centre’s office.

The wristbands also come with an information card, telling parents what to do if they become separated from their child.

Mr Hattam said: “I have two children of my own, so I know how scary that moment is when you turn around and your child has wandered off. With Easter, school holidays and the tourist season starting, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to roll out the scheme in Oxford.”

Posters and stickers of mascot Bernie Bear can be found in the centre, and staff have been trained on how the scheme works.

Shopper Emma Cook, out with her 14-month-old daughter Lyla, welcomed the scheme.

The Wheatley mum said: “Lyla is only just starting to walk around, so I only let her out in the buggy or on reins.

“But when she gets a bit older, this is definitely something I would consider thinking about.

Ms Cook said: “I think there are other things shopping centres can do, like making sure the doors out onto the street stay closed.

“You do hear stories of children wandering off, and I know as a parent, I don’t want to let her out of my sight.”

For more information about the scheme, call the centre on 01865 725455.