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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah

Carmelle Hepi: missing 13-year-old girl found safe in London area

Police tape
One man remains in custody and three others have been bailed pending further inquiries. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

A 13-year-old girl from South Yorkshire who disappeared after a house party in London has been found safe and well, police said.

Carmelle Hepi, from Barnsley, was reported missing by her family in the early hours of Sunday.

Three men, all aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of kidnap on Tuesday. A fourth man was also arrested but no further details were given. One man remains in custody and the other three have been bailed pending further inquiries.

The Metropolitan police said Carmelle was found in the London area. Lambeth borough police tweeted: “We’re delighted to say that 13-year-old Carmelle Hepi has been found safe and well. This was a complex and fast-paced inquiry by specialist detectives.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported our appeals.”

Investigators had said the teenager travelled by train from Barnsley to London St Pancras on Saturday, where she arrived shortly after 6pm. Police believe she went to a birthday party involving a small group of teenagers in Peckham, south-east London, on Sunday night.

She is understood to have left the party in a car with another group of people at about 11pm on Sunday, and also visited properties in Croydon, Lewisham and Purfleet in Essex.

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