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Missing girl: Police search in Machynlleth Missing girl: Police search in Machynlleth
(about 1 hour later)
Police say they are treating the disappearance of a five-year-old girl in mid Wales as a suspected abduction. Police say they are treating the disappearance of a five-year-old girl in Powys as a suspected abduction.
April Jones was playing with friends near her home in Machynlleth but was seen getting into a light coloured van at about 19:30 BST on Monday.April Jones was playing with friends near her home in Machynlleth but was seen getting into a light coloured van at about 19:30 BST on Monday.
Around 200 people helped in a search of streets, farmland and woodland through the night.
Det Ch Supt Simon Powell of Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were "becoming increasingly concerned for her safety".Det Ch Supt Simon Powell of Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were "becoming increasingly concerned for her safety".
Some 200 people gathered at Machynlleth Leisure Centre on Monday evening to help look for the missing girl. Local people gathered at Machynlleth Leisure Centre on Monday evening to help look for the girl, as news of her disappearance spread on social network sites.
A crowd of people had also gathered in the town's main street to take part in the search, and posters of April have been put up.A crowd of people had also gathered in the town's main street to take part in the search, and posters of April have been put up.
Dog teamsDog teams
Det Ch Supt Powell said: "Dyfed-Powys Police have launched an intensive search and criminal investigation into the abduction of a five-year-old girl, April Jones, in Machynlleth.Det Ch Supt Powell said: "Dyfed-Powys Police have launched an intensive search and criminal investigation into the abduction of a five-year-old girl, April Jones, in Machynlleth.
"April was last seen playing on a bicycle near her home address and was seen getting into what we believe was a light-coloured van which then drove off.""April was last seen playing on a bicycle near her home address and was seen getting into what we believe was a light-coloured van which then drove off."
Insp Kevin Davies said the fire service and police dog teams had been mobilised, and vehicle check-points set up on roads going in and out of Machynlleth.Insp Kevin Davies said the fire service and police dog teams had been mobilised, and vehicle check-points set up on roads going in and out of Machynlleth.
He said: "There is mention of a grey van, we're looking at that as one of the angles of inquiry. Nothing is being overlooked. It's an angle, it's an inquiry that we're pursuing along with other angles.He said: "There is mention of a grey van, we're looking at that as one of the angles of inquiry. Nothing is being overlooked. It's an angle, it's an inquiry that we're pursuing along with other angles.
"We're searching the area. Everything we can possibly do is being done."We're searching the area. Everything we can possibly do is being done.
"The family are obviously distressed. We're trying to keep them informed, we've got an officer allocated to them just to keep them informed as to what's happening. Any information, we'll share with them.""The family are obviously distressed. We're trying to keep them informed, we've got an officer allocated to them just to keep them informed as to what's happening. Any information, we'll share with them."
Local people described the family as "very well liked" and said they had helped create a community garden on the town's Bryn-y-Gog estate.
Brian Vaughn, whose daughter goes to junior school with April, described her as a "lovely little girl". He said: "Everybody just wants her back, really.Brian Vaughn, whose daughter goes to junior school with April, described her as a "lovely little girl". He said: "Everybody just wants her back, really.
"Whatever we've got to do, we'll do it. We're just hoping for the best, that she's closer rather than further away.""Whatever we've got to do, we'll do it. We're just hoping for the best, that she's closer rather than further away."
Awful feeling 'Really worrying'
Machynlleth town councillor Michael Williams was among those taking part in the search. He said local people were "stunned". Mayor of Machenlleth Gareth Jones, who was among those at the leisure centre, said people wanted to help the search in any way they could.
"We're all shocked, and it's the uncertainty of it all as well of course which is really worrying," he said.
"Our thoughts go out to the family, the close family and friends of April.
"We're all here to help as you can see by the amount of people we've got here this evening.
"Anything we can do, we will do it."
Machynlleth town councillor Michael Williams was also among those taking part in the search. He said local people were "stunned".
"I've lived here all my life and I've never heard of anything like this before. The family must be devastated, and I hope to goodness the little girl is found without any huge delay."I've lived here all my life and I've never heard of anything like this before. The family must be devastated, and I hope to goodness the little girl is found without any huge delay.
'Awful feeling'
"It just shows a town like Machynlleth when something does happen the people are out here, they've been out on the streets earlier looking - and here we are now, we will do whatever the police advise us to do to help look for this little child.""It just shows a town like Machynlleth when something does happen the people are out here, they've been out on the streets earlier looking - and here we are now, we will do whatever the police advise us to do to help look for this little child."
And neighbour Rhydian Mason said: "Most of us I think have found out through social networking sites online like Facebook - that's where I first heard of it - and we all want to see what we can do to help. Neighbour Rhydian Mason said: "Most of us I think have found out through social networking sites online like Facebook - that's where I first heard of it - and we all want to see what we can do to help.
"It's completely heartbreaking. I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of April's parents and it's an awful feeling in the pit of the stomach. We're all out here hopefully to see if we can get a positive outcome to this story, and we'll do our best even if we're out all night.""It's completely heartbreaking. I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of April's parents and it's an awful feeling in the pit of the stomach. We're all out here hopefully to see if we can get a positive outcome to this story, and we'll do our best even if we're out all night."
Another man, Gareth Jones, said: "It's the uncertainly of it all which is really worrying. Our thoughts go out to the family and the close friends of April.
"We're all here to help, as you can see by the amount of people that we've got here this evening. Everybody is here to help and support the family as much as we can, anything we can do we will do it."