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Missing woman 'may be sheltered' Missing woman 'may be sheltered'
(about 5 hours later)
Police searching for a woman missing with her five children have not ruled out the possibility that an organisation may be sheltering them.Police searching for a woman missing with her five children have not ruled out the possibility that an organisation may be sheltering them.
Natalie Bracht, 34, left her home in Sunderland on 17 May with her daughters, aged between five and 13.Natalie Bracht, 34, left her home in Sunderland on 17 May with her daughters, aged between five and 13.
She is believed to have travelled to Newcastle and then on to London.She is believed to have travelled to Newcastle and then on to London.
Officers have concerns regarding her emotional well-being. They are being assisted by their counterparts in the Metropolitan Police force.Officers have concerns regarding her emotional well-being. They are being assisted by their counterparts in the Metropolitan Police force.
Det Ch Insp Roger Ford said: "Our search for Natalie and her children is now entering a second week and given the ages of the girls their welfare is an obvious concern.Det Ch Insp Roger Ford said: "Our search for Natalie and her children is now entering a second week and given the ages of the girls their welfare is an obvious concern.
"They have been away from their home, their friends and their school for more than a week, and that is clearly not good for them."They have been away from their home, their friends and their school for more than a week, and that is clearly not good for them.
German accentGerman accent
"Natalie does not appear to have had access to much money, certainly not enough to look after herself and her five children. Nor does she appear to have any family connections in the area."Natalie does not appear to have had access to much money, certainly not enough to look after herself and her five children. Nor does she appear to have any family connections in the area.
"I cannot rule out that someone or some organisation is offering the family assistance or shelter, possibly for what they believe to be all the right reasons."I cannot rule out that someone or some organisation is offering the family assistance or shelter, possibly for what they believe to be all the right reasons.
Det Ch Insp Roger Ford on the search for Natalie Bracht and her children
"I would urge anyone who is doing this or who has any information about where Natalie and her daughters are now to contact our incident room in Sunderland.""I would urge anyone who is doing this or who has any information about where Natalie and her daughters are now to contact our incident room in Sunderland."
Ms Bracht is described as 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with shoulder length dark hair, which is sometimes tied back.Ms Bracht is described as 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with shoulder length dark hair, which is sometimes tied back.
She moved to the North East in 2006 with her children from Germany and speaks good English with a heavy German accent.She moved to the North East in 2006 with her children from Germany and speaks good English with a heavy German accent.
She is understood to have links in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland.She is understood to have links in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland.
When last seen she was wearing a distinctive red Berghaus-style three-quarter length jacket, with a dark coloured hood and shoulders, blue jeans or trousers, and was carrying a rucksack.When last seen she was wearing a distinctive red Berghaus-style three-quarter length jacket, with a dark coloured hood and shoulders, blue jeans or trousers, and was carrying a rucksack.