Detectives investigating the disappearance of an “extremely vulnerable” schoolgirl who went missing 11 days ago are pursuing a possible sighting of her in Manchester.
Officers said they were following up a number of promising lines of inquiry in the search for 14-year-old Jade Lynch, including in Manchester city centre.
Det Supt Jon Betts said police had received a “vast amount” of information from the public following an emotional appeal by Jade’s sister on Tuesday.
He said: “We are following up a number of promising lines of inquiry at various locations across the country.
“One of the lines of inquiry concerns information relating to possible sightings of Jade in Manchester city centre but this is only one of the many inquiries officers are following up and we are working with our partners and colleagues in Manchester.
“I am asking for the continued support of the public and the media in helping to locate Jade by reporting any sightings of her.
“I would also ask anyone who sees someone matching Jade’s description to call us immediately, every bit of information could provide a vital clue in locating Jade.”
Jade went missing 11 days ago during a shopping trip with her younger brothers in St Helens, Merseyside.
She told her brothers she was going to meet a friend but has not been heard from since.
Detectives said they were increasingly concerned about Jade and that her normally active social media profiles had fallen silent since she vanished. Her older sister Stephanie, 22, told a press conference on Tuesday: “It’s not like her not to be in contact. I see her all the time.
“I really just want to know she’s OK. It would mean the world to me. As she got older we have been much closer. I love her so much. We just want to know she is safe. She is not in trouble, we love her very much and just want to know she is OK.”
Stephanie and her friends have been sharing Jade’s photo online with the hashtag #findoursister.
She added: “She’s a typical teenager, she’s always in contact with someone online or on her phone – always talking to someone – that’s why we are so worried.
Jade, who is originally from Warrington but had recently been living in St Helens, went missing at about 1pm on Saturday 26 March.
She left her phone at home and has not been in contact since.
Jade, an army cadet, is described as white, approximately 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with long straight black hair. At the time she was last seen she was wearing a black hoodie, with black trousers and white Nike trainers.
She has links to Merseyside, Manchester, Cumbria and Bristol. Anyone who has seen Jade should call police on 101.
