Petition · past parliament
Introduce a 'Safe Haven' law for abandoned babies here in the UK
Closed
404 signatures
What the petition asks
Around 50 babies are abandoned each year in the UK, that's one a week. As it is illegal to abandon a baby in the UK, desperate women will often leave them in areas that are cold and unsafe, that is why the UK needs a law like the Safe Haven law that is active in all 50 States in America.
The Safe Haven law typically allows unharmed children under 3 weeks of age to be surrendered at a fire station, hospital or other designated place with no names taken and no questions asked. This ensures that babies are not abandoned in cold or dangerous conditions.
Whilst this is a highly emotive issue and some will argue that it encourages irresponsibility, this law will not encourage pregnant women to abandon their children, what it will do is protect societies most vulnerable.
Whilst this is a highly emotive issue and some will argue that it encourages irresponsibility, this law will not encourage pregnant women to abandon their children, what it will do is protect societies most vulnerable.
Timeline
| 18 Feb 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Aug 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
404
Status
Closed
Opened
18 Feb 2016
Closed
18 Aug 2016
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.