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Missing girl police 'fear worst' Missing girl police 'fear worst'
(10 minutes later)
Detectives searching for missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have said they fear she may have fallen into the "wrong hands".Detectives searching for missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have said they fear she may have fallen into the "wrong hands".
Det Supt Andy Brennan, leading the search for the nine-year-old who has been missing for a week, said he was gravely concerned.Det Supt Andy Brennan, leading the search for the nine-year-old who has been missing for a week, said he was gravely concerned.
Specialist dogs trained to find bodies and mountain rescue teams have been drafted in to the Dewsbury hunt.Specialist dogs trained to find bodies and mountain rescue teams have been drafted in to the Dewsbury hunt.
Shannon was last seen on her way home from school last Tuesday.Shannon was last seen on her way home from school last Tuesday.
"What concerns me greatly is that she may have fallen into the wrong hands," Det Supt Brennan said."What concerns me greatly is that she may have fallen into the wrong hands," Det Supt Brennan said.
Dedicated scientistsDedicated scientists
The senior detective also appealed for information on anyone seen acting suspiciously in or around Shannon's school, Westmoor Junior, on the day she disappeared.The senior detective also appealed for information on anyone seen acting suspiciously in or around Shannon's school, Westmoor Junior, on the day she disappeared.
"We are using all available technology and expertise including behavioural experts and a team of dedicated scientists," he said."We are using all available technology and expertise including behavioural experts and a team of dedicated scientists," he said.
He added the inquiry was similar in structure to a murder investigation and sniffer dogs, trained to seek out human remains, have been used.He added the inquiry was similar in structure to a murder investigation and sniffer dogs, trained to seek out human remains, have been used.
"While we hope and pray that Shannon will be found safe and well, we remain gravely concerned," Mr Brennan said."While we hope and pray that Shannon will be found safe and well, we remain gravely concerned," Mr Brennan said.
"We are not excluding any possibility as to what has happened to Shannon that afternoon.""We are not excluding any possibility as to what has happened to Shannon that afternoon."
Police have conducted a "routine" search of a house belonging to an uncle of Shannon.Police have conducted a "routine" search of a house belonging to an uncle of Shannon.
The house, in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, which adjoins Shannon's, belongs to Neil Hyett and his wife Amanda.The house, in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, which adjoins Shannon's, belongs to Neil Hyett and his wife Amanda.
With white masks covering their mouths, officers rummaged through rubbish in the garden and looked through items in the kitchen and living room.
Officers spent around 50 minutes in the property before leaving.
West Yorkshire Police said the searches were routine.
Map of key locationsMap of key locations
Officers have searched more than 200 homes within half a mile of the family home and have received more than 300 calls about the schoolgirl. Further images of Shannon on her birthday last September and the actual coach that returned her and her classmates after their swimming lesson last Tuesday were also released by police.
Specialist divers have searched a pond, along with sewers and drains in the hunt for any trace of her. Mr Brennan said: "The coach is maroon and appears very distinctive in colour. I would appeal to anybody who was in the area last Tuesday to think back to that time."
On Monday, about 50 specialist officers were drafted in to search through bins on all routes between Shannon's school and her home. He went on: "Did you see anybody in the area who may have looked out of place or you may have not seen previously?
Rubbish searched "Similarly, did you see any vehicles in the area that you haven't seenpreviously or looked out of place?"
Shannon is described as timid, about 4ft 1in, with shoulder-length hair that may have been tied in a ponytail.Shannon is described as timid, about 4ft 1in, with shoulder-length hair that may have been tied in a ponytail.
She was last seen leaving Dewsbury Sports Centre where CCTV footage showed her wearing distinctive pink Bratz boots.She was last seen leaving Dewsbury Sports Centre where CCTV footage showed her wearing distinctive pink Bratz boots.
MISSING SHANNON - KEY LOCATIONS Sightings 19 Feb 1500 - CCTV shows Shannon leaving Dewsbury sports centre19 Feb 1510 - Gets off bus outside school to walk home Reported sightings 19 Feb 1700-2000 - Park at junction of Staincliffe and Heckmondwike Roads19 Feb 1830-1930 - Playing fields behind Westmoor Junior School20 Feb 0915-0930 - Moorcroft Road Search locations Pond behind Dewsbury & District Hospital, Heald RoadHome of Shannon's uncle, Neil HyettAll possible routes home from Westmoor Junior SchoolMISSING SHANNON - KEY LOCATIONS Sightings 19 Feb 1500 - CCTV shows Shannon leaving Dewsbury sports centre19 Feb 1510 - Gets off bus outside school to walk home Reported sightings 19 Feb 1700-2000 - Park at junction of Staincliffe and Heckmondwike Roads19 Feb 1830-1930 - Playing fields behind Westmoor Junior School20 Feb 0915-0930 - Moorcroft Road Search locations Pond behind Dewsbury & District Hospital, Heald RoadHome of Shannon's uncle, Neil HyettAll possible routes home from Westmoor Junior School
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