Residents have spoken of their fear and shock as a huge police search for a missing Leeds teenager got underway.
About 30 officers were searching the dense Gledhow Valley Woods throughout today as concern for Rawan Hussain, 16, from Chapel Allerton, continue to grow.
The force has also been knocking on doors in the area asking people if they have seen the teenager or know anything about her disappearance - described by officers as 'out of character'.
Her devastated family are being supported by specially trained officers and police have now extended their search outside the immediate area.
Jean Fletcher, 70, who lives right opposite the park, on Pasture Lane, said emergency services started arriving at the scene at around 8pm yesterday.
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“There was just tape around the corner and a couple of policemen and one coming to the door. I’d heard a helicopter around before that but with all that’s going on with coronavirus I didn’t think anything about it.
“Then this morning it’s just...”
Jean, who has lived there for 43 years, said the police were knocking on doors to ask residents if they had seen Rawan Hussain.
“They just asked me if I’d seen her and if I did, to let them know.
“I got up to take him [the dog] out and there were just lots coming then, the van came and everybody came. They were standing about all waiting for a briefing I suppose. Then they all sort of went off to look.
“I hope they find her safe. It’s so sad.”
Rawan was reported missing at 1pm yesterday after being last seen at her home at 5am the same day.
Chief Inspector Richard Padwell, of Leeds District, said “It is out of character for Rawan to go missing like this and we are very concerned for her welfare.
“Her family are understandably upset and we are doing everything we can to support them as we continue with our efforts to find her.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has seen her or anyone fitting her description in the area or elsewhere at any point since she was last seen.
“We continuing to carry out searches of Gledhow Valley Woods as part of this missing person investigation. We appreciate that this activity may cause understandable concern in the community and we are liaising closely with the local neighbourhood policing team to reassure the community and keep people updated.”
Mountain rescue have also been helping with the search, although they have since left the scene.
Rawan is described as Asian, 4ft 9ins tall, medium build, with curly dark brown hair. She usually wears a headscarf and may have been wearing a black coat and Nike trainers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting log number 905 of April 26 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.
