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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Shannon case 'as big as Ripper' | Shannon case 'as big as Ripper' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| More than half of the UK's specialist search dogs are involved in the hunt for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, police have said. | More than half of the UK's specialist search dogs are involved in the hunt for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, police have said. |
| It is three weeks to the day since the nine-year-old was last seen leaving Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury. | It is three weeks to the day since the nine-year-old was last seen leaving Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury. |
| West Yorkshire Police said the operation was the biggest missing person's case it had undertaken since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. | |
| A national newspaper is offering a £50,000 reward for information. | A national newspaper is offering a £50,000 reward for information. |
| We would obviously like to find Shannon alive but we've got to consider all options with the search Ch Insp Graham Armitage | We would obviously like to find Shannon alive but we've got to consider all options with the search Ch Insp Graham Armitage |
| The Sun has more than doubled its previous offer of £20,000 in the hope of a breakthrough. | The Sun has more than doubled its previous offer of £20,000 in the hope of a breakthrough. |
| A huge search by police officers has failed to find any trace of Shannon. | A huge search by police officers has failed to find any trace of Shannon. |
| Ch Insp Graham Armitage, who is in charge of the search teams, said 16 of the UK's specialist dogs trained to find blood and human remains were now being used. | Ch Insp Graham Armitage, who is in charge of the search teams, said 16 of the UK's specialist dogs trained to find blood and human remains were now being used. |
| He said the dog teams had come from as far away as Hampshire and Glasgow. | He said the dog teams had come from as far away as Hampshire and Glasgow. |
| He said handlers were working 14-hour days to maintain the intensity of the search. | He said handlers were working 14-hour days to maintain the intensity of the search. |
| Mr Armitage said: "It's the biggest investigation of its kind now, it's certainly the biggest missing persons inquiry since the Yorkshire Ripper which I also worked on." | |
| Dog teams from as far away as Glasgow are helping the search | Dog teams from as far away as Glasgow are helping the search |
| The officer was speaking in Crow Nest Park, about a mile-and-half from Shannon's home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor. | The officer was speaking in Crow Nest Park, about a mile-and-half from Shannon's home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor. |
| Search dogs from the Surrey, Hampshire, Strathclyde and Greater Manchester forces joined local officers in the park on Tuesday and searching in neighbouring properties. | Search dogs from the Surrey, Hampshire, Strathclyde and Greater Manchester forces joined local officers in the park on Tuesday and searching in neighbouring properties. |
| Mr Armitage said: "There is a massive amount of resources committed here. It is a huge operation. | Mr Armitage said: "There is a massive amount of resources committed here. It is a huge operation. |
| "Every individual here is committed to finding Shannon. | "Every individual here is committed to finding Shannon. |
| "We would obviously like to find Shannon alive but we've got to consider all options with the search." | "We would obviously like to find Shannon alive but we've got to consider all options with the search." |
| Sponsored walk | Sponsored walk |
| Asked whether the search would extend beyond Dewsbury and the immediate area, he said the operation could only be guided by information it had been given. | Asked whether the search would extend beyond Dewsbury and the immediate area, he said the operation could only be guided by information it had been given. |
| "It's all about information," he said. "When we get that information we go where it takes us." | "It's all about information," he said. "When we get that information we go where it takes us." |
| Det Supt Andy Brennan, who is leading the overall search for Shannon, repeated his statement that he is "gravely concerned" for Shannon. | Det Supt Andy Brennan, who is leading the overall search for Shannon, repeated his statement that he is "gravely concerned" for Shannon. |
| He said officers were about two-thirds of the way through a list of 3,000 residential and commercial premises which were being thoroughly searched. | He said officers were about two-thirds of the way through a list of 3,000 residential and commercial premises which were being thoroughly searched. |
| A sponsored walk is due to take place in Dewsbury later to raise money to help in the search for the youngster. | A sponsored walk is due to take place in Dewsbury later to raise money to help in the search for the youngster. |