Police intensify search for 16-year-old girl missing for a week

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/27/police-search-becky-watts-bristol

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The father of a 16-year-old girl who has been missing for more than a week has spoken of his fears that she may have been attacked, as police intensified their search for her.

Becky Watts left home in Bristol without a change of clothes on 19 February and her family reported her missing the following day. Since then there have been no sightings of her and no sign of her on social media, though she took her phone, laptop and tablet.

Officers from five forces are involved in the hunt for Becky and detectives from Avon and Somerset police are liaising with national experts on missing person investigations.

On Friday police divers were searching a pond at St George’s Park, a few minutes’ walk from her home. Police described this as a routine procedure.

Please help support our appeal by using the hashtag #FindBecky. pic.twitter.com/FlxW79RFJV

There has been a huge online effort to find her, with more than 3.5 million people viewing social media or online appeals.

Our online appeals have now reached over 3.5 million people - thank you to everyone for RTing so far. Pls continue sharing #FindBecky

Darren Galsworthy, Becky’s father, expressed fears in a Facebook post that his daughter could have been sexually assaulted, warning people to look out for her blood. He also said he had seen a white Transit van “hanging around” near the house on the day Becky went missing. The family has said Becky’s disappearance is completely out of character.

An indication of how worried the police are by Becky’s disappearance was the appointment of DS Liz Tunks, the head of Avon and Somerset’s major crime investigation unit, to take over leadership of the inquiry.

DI Richard Ocone, the deputy senior investigation officer, said: “We are still treating this investigation as a missing person inquiry and we are committed to finding Becky and returning her home.

“The local community will see an increased policing presence as the investigation enters its second week, including additional specialist search officers from neighbouring forces drafted in to assist us.

“We are carrying out a detailed forensic search of Becky’s home where she was last seen to make sure there is nothing we have missed, and intensifying our search of the local area so no stone is left unturned.”

He said the social media campaign would also continue and asked people to look out for and use the hashtag #FindBecky.

Ocone refused to comment on Becky’s father’s concerns that she may have been attacked. “This is very much a missing persons inquiry,” he said. “We have nothing to suggest that Rebecca has come to any harm.”

Becky is described as 5ft 4in (163cm) and slim, with long, bright red hair and was wearing a dark navy blue padded jacket with fabric sleeves.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.