Mother of missing girl pleads for daughter to get in touch

A MOTHER made an emotional plea for her teenage daughter to come home yesterday, more than a week after she went missing.

Rachel Dever, 14, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, disappeared on the morning on 3 May following an argument with her mother.

Reading a short statement, her mother Linda McKenna said: "Your Gran and I are so, so worried about you. We're not angry with you, pet. We just need you to get in touch with someone and let us know you're safe – at the very least."

Ms McKenna also asked if any of Rachel's friends knew her whereabouts, then asked that they came forward, adding: "It's in Rachel's best interests that she's found."

The teenager left her family home following an argument with Ms McKenna at 11am. She had been sent by her mother to collect a vacuum cleaner from her grandmother's home, but never arrived there.

She was last seen by a friend at about 4pm the same day, in the Glenburn area. Rachel had not taken any clothing with her and her mother had possession of her personal mobile phone.

Over the past week, police say there have been two unconfirmed sightings of Rachel and at least one unconfirmed text sent to a 17-year-old male friend from a phone that she did not normally use.

Strathclyde Police have since stepped up their efforts to trace the girl, who they have described as "vulnerable".

Superintendent Niven Rennie, who is leading the investigation, said:

"We are growing more concerned about the well being of Rachel. We believe that she is still within the Erskine or Paisley area and may be in the care of some well-meaning friend. As time goes on, however, our concerns have increased."