Hunt for girl, 5 taken away

Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

AROUND 200 people were last night frantically searching for a missing five-year-old girl who was abducted while out playing near her home.

April Jones is believed to have been lured into a transit while playing on her bike with friends.

She was last seen climbing into the light-coloured vehicle which drove away at around 7.30pm, cops say.

Police said they were “increasingly concerned” for April, who is believed to have been wearing her blue school uniform.

Roadblocks were set up as villagers joined the search and friends posted messages on social websites appealing for help in Machynlleth, Mid Wales.

Mair Raftree posted on the Facebook site Find Missing APRIL 1-10-2012 Machynlleth Powys: “Please lets find my goddaughter safe and well x.”

Others sent their best wishes to April’s parents Coral Jones, 40, and Paul, 43.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Powell said: “Dyfed-Powys Police have launched an intensive search and criminal investigation into the abduction of April Jones.

"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.

“We are becoming increasingly concerned for her safety and ask for anyone with information to please contact us.”

Inspector Kevin Davies from Dyfed-Powys Police said “every angle” of the investigation was being covered.

He told the BBC that police dog teams were involved in the operation and that cars in and out of the town were being stopped and searched by officers.

A family liaison officer is also keeping the “devastated” relatives of missing April informed of any developments, Mr Davies added.

Restaurant boss Razul Islam said neighbours saw the youngster playing outside her home before she vanished.

He added: “There are hundreds of people out looking for her.”

“It is such a small town and nearly everyone is out looking for her - I’m shocked that it has happened in a town like this.”

He added: “The police and locals are patrolling on foot, everyone is just looking everywhere."

County Councillor Michael Williams also joined in the search efforts.

He told BBC Radio: “People were co-ordinated by the police and as well as searching the town they went out into forested areas of the valley and wooded areas and out into hamlets and byroads.

Speaking about April’s relatives he added: “They are such a lovely, caring family and they are devastated.

“The community is shocked and stunned over what’s happened.”

A number of volunteers were congregating at the town’s leisure centre this morning to continue the hunt, with maps of the area and pictures of April being handed to those offering their services.

Local petrol station worker Nerys Zjalic told ITV Daybreak that she had been drafted in to open the garage all night to assist with the search.

She said volunteers had flocked to the town to take part, adding: “One lady came in and she had come from Caernarfon, which is North Wales, so I suppose you are looking at 80-odd miles.

“She said ’I saw it on Facebook and I couldn’t sleep, so I came down’.”

Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk
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