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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Ewan Somerville

Louise Smith: Man and woman arrested for alleged kidnap of teenage girl

Louise Smith went missing a week ago (Picture: PA)

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping a teenage girl who vanished a week ago.

Louise Smith, 16, was last seen at around midday on May 8 in Somborne Drive, Havant, in Hampshire, police said.

She has not been in contact with her parents or friends since.

Hampshire Constabulary have arrested the pair, both aged 29, on suspicion of kidnap and they still being questioned in custody.

Chief Inspector Alex Reading said it was "still very much a missing person investigation" and appealed for information.

He added: “We have been working hard since Louise was reported missing to locate her and so far we have received great support from the community, for which we are very thankful.

“I know the public would expect us to explore all lines of enquiries in order to find Louise and as such we must move forward with an open mind as to where she might be."

Police have been going door-to-door, carrying out searches and collecting CCTV in the hunt for Louise, with further searches planned for the Leigh Park area over the weekend.

Mr Reading added: “Louise, if you are reading this, please call us and let us know you are okay. We just want to know that you are safe.

"If you feel you cannot call us, then please call a friend or a loved one – we need to know that you are okay.”

Louise is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with straight, black, shoulder-length hair.

She was last seen wearing black jeans, a black and white striped t-shirt, black trainers and a black coat with a fur hood as she was wearing in a photograph released by police.

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