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Missing girl Shannon found alive Missing girl Shannon found alive
(20 minutes later)
Missing nine-year-old schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been found alive, three weeks after she disappeared.Missing nine-year-old schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been found alive, three weeks after she disappeared.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the girl had been found concealed in the base of a divan bed in a house in Lidgate Gardens in Batley Carr.West Yorkshire Police confirmed the girl had been found concealed in the base of a divan bed in a house in Lidgate Gardens in Batley Carr.
Neighbours said police smashed their way in and emerged carrying Shannon who was last seen leaving Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury on 19 February.Neighbours said police smashed their way in and emerged carrying Shannon who was last seen leaving Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury on 19 February.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction.A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction.
The young girl looked "quite calm" and officers confirmed that she was OK, the neighbours added.The young girl looked "quite calm" and officers confirmed that she was OK, the neighbours added.
During a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed West Yorkshire PoliceDuring a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed West Yorkshire Police
A West Yorkshire Police statement said: "As part of ongoing investigations, detectives and specialist search officers attended a house at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, Dewsbury, at 1230 GMT this afternoon.A West Yorkshire Police statement said: "As part of ongoing investigations, detectives and specialist search officers attended a house at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, Dewsbury, at 1230 GMT this afternoon.
"During a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed."During a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed.
"A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction at the address and is currently in custody at a West Yorkshire police station."A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction at the address and is currently in custody at a West Yorkshire police station.
Map of where Shannon was foundMap of where Shannon was found
"Shannon is currently in the care of West Yorkshire Police. Investigations are ongoing.""Shannon is currently in the care of West Yorkshire Police. Investigations are ongoing."
Shannon's father Leon Rose said he was "really pleased".Shannon's father Leon Rose said he was "really pleased".
Shannon's aunt Amanda Hyett said the schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews left the family home with police shortly before 1400 GMT. She has not yet been reunited with her daughter.Shannon's aunt Amanda Hyett said the schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews left the family home with police shortly before 1400 GMT. She has not yet been reunited with her daughter.
Shannon Matthews has been missing for three weeks Shannon was found in the base of a bed in the property
Charlotte Thornton, a friend of Amanda Hyett, said: "I've just got a text message from Amanda. She's saying they've found her alive.Charlotte Thornton, a friend of Amanda Hyett, said: "I've just got a text message from Amanda. She's saying they've found her alive.
"I was one of the ones who went out and looked for her on the first night. I'm very happy they've found her.""I was one of the ones who went out and looked for her on the first night. I'm very happy they've found her."
Neighbour Christopher Heaps witnessed Shannon being brought out of the house by police.Neighbour Christopher Heaps witnessed Shannon being brought out of the house by police.
He said: "First thing I heard was police breaking the door down and I went out to see what was going off because of the noise and then when I went out I saw the policemen carrying the young girl in their arms.He said: "First thing I heard was police breaking the door down and I went out to see what was going off because of the noise and then when I went out I saw the policemen carrying the young girl in their arms.
"I was stood by him and I said 'is that Shannon?' He said 'yes'."I was stood by him and I said 'is that Shannon?' He said 'yes'.
She was very calm and didn't look upset Christopher Heaps, neighbourShe was very calm and didn't look upset Christopher Heaps, neighbour
"I saw the man being taken away and dragged down the steps and handcuffed and put into the van."I saw the man being taken away and dragged down the steps and handcuffed and put into the van.
"Then the little girl was put into a car and taken away with a plain clothes policeman. She was very calm and didn't look upset.""Then the little girl was put into a car and taken away with a plain clothes policeman. She was very calm and didn't look upset."
Children returning from school to houses in Shannon's road were crying and hugging each other after hearing she had been found.Children returning from school to houses in Shannon's road were crying and hugging each other after hearing she had been found.
Callie Brown, aged eight, who is in Shannon's class, said: "We all had to go into the hall for assembly. I was crying my eyes out. I have missed her loads."Callie Brown, aged eight, who is in Shannon's class, said: "We all had to go into the hall for assembly. I was crying my eyes out. I have missed her loads."
About 100 local residents have been holding a celebratory party on the estate.About 100 local residents have been holding a celebratory party on the estate.
Earlier this week mother-of-seven Mrs Matthews, 32, said she believed Shannon had been abducted.Earlier this week mother-of-seven Mrs Matthews, 32, said she believed Shannon had been abducted.
More than 200 officers and 60 detectives have been involved in the search, which police said amounted to 10% of West Yorkshire Police's operational strength.More than 200 officers and 60 detectives have been involved in the search, which police said amounted to 10% of West Yorkshire Police's operational strength.
The force said the operation was the biggest missing person's case it had undertaken since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.The force said the operation was the biggest missing person's case it had undertaken since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.
Officers have searched nearly 3,000 residential and commercial premises in the hunt for the schoolgirl.Officers have searched nearly 3,000 residential and commercial premises in the hunt for the schoolgirl.
The police's focus on the hunt for Shannon has always focused on the local community.The police's focus on the hunt for Shannon has always focused on the local community.
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