POLICE searching for a missing 16-year-old girl today trawled a country park lake after two people arrested on suspicion of kidnap were released on bail.

Louise Smith disappeared from her home in Havant, Hants, at midday on May 8 after telling pals she was popping out briefly.

She was due to return home to spend the weekend with her boyfriend, who had come over to stay.

Detectives managed to trace her mobile phone to a skate park before before it was switched off two hours later.

A man and woman, both 29, were arrested on suspicion of kidnap last Friday have now been released on bail.

Officers were today seen searching woodland and a lake at Staunton Country Park near Louise's home.

Volunteers from the Isle of Wight Search and Rescue team have also joined the hunt in Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Surrey.

Chief Inspector Alex Reading said: “We’d like to reassure people that this is still very much a missing person investigation and our priority is to find Louise and make sure she is safe.

Louise, if you are reading this, please call us and let us know you are ok. We just want to know that you are safe.

“If you feel you cannot call us, then please call a friend or a loved one – we need to know that you are ok.”

FRANTIC APPEAL

Worried friends and relatives have set up a website for people to share and leave messages and to help co-ordinate the search.

The last reported sighting of Louise was in Somborne Drive, Havant and she was thought to be wearing black jeans, a black and white striped tee-shirt, black trainers and a black coat with a fur hood.

A picture released by her family showed her in a teal dress which she is believed to have worn to her school prom.

She was described as white, around 5ft 2in, of slim build and with straight, black, shoulder-length hair.

Kat Foy, who has created a community group dedicated to finding Louise, said: "The country is in crisis and we remain on lockdown. We ask at this stage that you respect the police who have not requested the public to do their own searches.

"They have asked if you have information to contact them.

"They are in the important part of their search, the police are the experts at this stage. Please refrain from doing your own searches it will hinder the police.

"When they require the public to search they will request this, we are here to raise awareness.

"Louise is missing, we are not here to overwhelm Louise or worry her. Please, if you sight Louise please do not approach her, it may scare her, please dial 101."


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