Fears were growing tonight for the safety of a missing nine-year-old girl in Britain as 200 police officers continued to search for a second night.
Shannon Matthews, from Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was reported missing hours after failing to return home from school yesterday afternoon.
Shannon Matthews
West Yorkshire Police said she had never been missing before and described her as "very vulnerable". They launched a search of the local area, making inquiries throughout the night and making checks through friends and family.
Police said the last confirmed sighting was at her school — West Moor Junior School — at 3.10pm, although there had been other, unconfirmed, sightings at around 7.30pm.
Speaking outside the school this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Barry South said there were now more than 200 police officers working on the inquiry. Mr South said the force had closed its nearby training facility for the day to help in the search.
He said: "I'm keeping an absolutely open mind at this moment in time.
"As you can see, and as you expect, we're carrying out extensive inquiries in the area.
"I have got over 200 police officers supporting my local neighbourhood policing teams.
"They are speaking with friends, speaking with neighbours and relatives at this moment in time."
Shannon's mother Karen made an emotional appeal for her daughter to return home. Speaking outside her home, Mrs Matthews said: "Shannon, you are not in trouble, darling, please come home."