In an extraordinary act of bravery and quick thinking, Brighton teenagers Archie and Francis, both 13, found and safely returned a missing six-year-old boy who was reported lost four miles away from his location.
In April, Archie and Francis were busy fixing their bikes in Mill Road when they noticed the little boy wandering aimlessly, visibly lost. Trusting their instincts, the duo decided to follow him on their bikes. The youngsters demonstrated exceptional maturity by dialing 999 and accompanying the boy to a nearby café until help arrived.
The boy had reportedly been missing for two hours from the beach and was the subject of a massive search operation along the seafront. Brighton and Hove police arrived on the scene and were able to return him to his incredibly relieved parents. The situation could have ended very differently had it not been for the teenagers’ sharp thinking and decisive action.
Archie and Francis were recognised for their heroic act at Brighton and Hove’s divisional awards on Tuesday, 6th June. The ceremony, watched by their beaming parents, saw the pair receive divisional commendations for their life-saving actions.
Chief Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw lauded the duo, quite rightly describing them as “real heroes”.
The teenagers’ actions serve as a remarkable reminder of the capacity of our young people to demonstrate compassion, bravery, and quick decision-making skills in high-pressure situations.
We join Chief Superintendent Burtenshaw, in saying, “Well done, Archie and Francis!”
