Abduction fears spark massive search operation

Published on Monday 30 August 2010 16:07

A MAJOR police operation was sparked by fears a young girl may had been abducted from a Lothian play park.

&#149 A helicopter helped search the area on Sunday, while police visited Danderhall Primary as part of their enquiries.

A police helicopter was drafted in from Glasgow, and dozens of officers joined local residents in scouring the area around Newton Village, Midlothian, for four and a half hours.

It came after police received a call from someone who was concerned that the girl, aged around six, had been led away from the play park by two men.

However, police later said there was no evidence of an abduction and there had been no reports of missing children.

Yesterday, officers were visiting local primary schools in an attempt to trace the girl and appealed for witnesses who can help clear up the mystery.

One local pub manager said the streets of Newton Village and nearby Danderhall were flooded with officers and dog teams on Sunday evening.

He said: "There were about 12 police cars and a helicopter. The police were swarming everywhere looking for someone.

"We've heard it's a hoax but we've not heard from the police yet."

Many local residents speculated as to what had happened on Danderhall's Facebook page.

One member, Stacey Maxwell, said: "I heard that she was taken up towards Monktonhall Colliery by 2 boys, 16 and 17."

Another member, Neil Muirhead, added: "Just a wee msg 2 say that i hope they find the wee girl that wos taking from danderhall lastnite by a 2 men.hope she is found safe and well :-(".

The case has echoes of a situation in July, when police were forced to reassure parents that there were not child snatchers lurking in their area after internet rumours.

Panicked parents in Midlothian fuelled the flames by posting updates on social networking sites.

A spokesman for Midlothian Council confirmed that police officers visited Danderhall Primary School yesterday in relation to the inquiry.

He said: "The local community officer visited Danderhall Primary yesterday morning to reassure parents and the school that no incident of concern involving a child had been reported in the local area."

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "Police were called to Newton Village at around 6.30pm on Sunday after concerns were raised over the welfare of a female child who was seen in the company of two males in a play park. A full police response was initiated involving search teams, supported by members of the local community.

"The Strathclyde Police helicopter was also deployed.

"In addition, door-to-door enquiries were carried out in the area, however, there was no sign of any of those involved, and no children have been reported missing.

"Enquiries are continuing in respect of the incident."