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POLICE IN WALES searching for missing five-year-old April Jones have said they are focusing on more than 20 sites in the Machynlleth area.
In his evening briefing, Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan said specific activity is happening across these scenes. He also told reporters that over 400 messages had been received from the public since his lunchtime appeal.
Overall, 1,600 messages have been received by investigators trying to trace the whereabouts of the young girl who was last seen getting into a vehicle at 7.30pm on Monday.
Detectives are trying to establish the movements of suspect Mark Bridger and his vehicle – a blue Landrover Discovery – between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon.
The massive search team includes 100 mountain rescue personnel, 100 trained and accredited police officers, 20 dog handlers, two RNLI vessels, the police marine unit and a team of kayakers.
“Intelligence is developing fast and this helps to drive the search priorities which are constantly under review,” explained Superintendent Ian John.
“The geography is very challenging and everyone is working in a hostile environment, by that I mean the terrain if difficult, waterlogged, working near to flooded rivers with the potential for mine shafts and unstable ground.
“The number of officers we have deployed will increase, particularly the use of specialist officers from around the UK. This is a growing operation and in no way are we scaling back this search. We remain completely focussed on finding April.”
Bridger was arrested yesterday afternoon and in a highly unusual move, his picture and name were subsequently released. Police also revealed he was wearing waterproof trousers and camouflage clothing when detained.
Bevan said the 46-year-old has been interviewed twice and police are looking to build a profile.
Meanwhile, Sky News has reported that April’s godmother Mair Raftree revealed that the missing child suffers from Cerebral Palsy and so will need her medication.
The registration plate on Mark Bridger’s blue Land Rover Discovery is L503MEP. It was recovered from a repair garage yesterday afternoon.
If you are reading this in Wales, the number to call with any information is 0300 2000 333. Det Supt Bevan said: “Do not assume someone else has already contacted us with information. Even if you feel yours is trivial, please contact us.”
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As if things weren’t bad enough for the poor pet now she’s in danger of getting sick without her meds. All the odds keep stacking up against the poor baby. The whole world is praying for you little lady X
Jesus this is heartbreaking…not looking too good for the outcome, I hope to god I’m proved wrong, but time is running out. The poor parents, I’d be a basket case if it were me, my prayers and thoughts are with them.
Agree Joan,..when you see they’re looking at ‘site’….that doesn’t bode well. I truely hope she’s found well…but a little kid like that would be shouting and screaming so smeone would hear her….my prayers to her poor mother…much love!
I really hope this ends better than what Im thinking….. my rage grows and Ill say no more.
Something not right about this !!
One thing I can’t make fit is he drives a landrover discovery but the original appeals said she was last seen getting into a van. I think there is more going on here than the police are releasing to the press
In fairness, the description of a ‘van’ came from other 5 year olds. That could mean anything from spacewagon to jeep to van to small truck. I agree with you though, a grey van turning out to be a blue jeep is a bit far fetched. I really hope that there’s no others involved however as that would naturally complicate matters significantly.
Sometimes after hit & run’s they deliberately release a false vehicle description so the driver will feel safe enough to bring it to a garage for repairs.
it did also say he had two vehicles
Light coloured van turns out to be a blue Land Rover. Suspect hasn’t been charged but police release so much info about him that everybody has already convicted him. Not saying he didn’t do it, he might very well be guilty, but I don’t get why they are jeopardizing any possible case against him by not adhering to due process. Something not right about this investigation. I just hope and pray the wee girl is found. The course of events can be dissected later.
I’d imagine their first priority is to save the little girl’s life. Everything else can wait.
Finding the little girl is their priority John.
My heart goes out to all involved. I can’t even begin to imagine the terror the family are going through. And poor little April, words fail me. I beg for answers soon and for you to be back with your family very soon. X
hoping for the best for this girl! soo sad u cant even let kids out to play anymore
The mind boggles. The main and (only?) suspect is sitting in police custody and they’ve only managed to narrow the search down to 20 possible sites? If a 9 year old was been so obtuse about where they hid your car keys they’d be be brought to task quicker than what is evident here.
So you really think that the police, hundreds of volunteers, the RNLI, Coast Guard, Army, Mountain rescue, sniffer dogs, dog handlers, RAF, thermal imaging helicopters and hovercrafts are all fully deployed and searching almost 24 hours a day….yet nobody is pushing the suspect for further information?!!!! I think not. I doubt Mr. Bridger is sitting in the police station having cups of tea..
bring back the death penalty for people like that!
Come up with an original comment
He’s not been proven guilty yet.
When was he found to be guilty Liam??
I really hope that she is safe, but my comment only reflects what should happen in the event of the worst possible outcome, I am implying that the death penalty could be used as a suitable deterrent against any possible heinous crimes that are more and more prevalent in todays society, I hope this comment is original enough for you mister!
Death penalties aren’t deterrents to people that would do something that would warrant a death penalty.
It has never proven to reduce crime and should be something for history books not present day law
Does it work as a deterrent Liam? There are lots of murders in the US, even with the death penalty.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, Liam. I do know that the death penalty has not worked as a deterrent. Look at the stats for the bias towards African American and Hispanic people who have been executed in the US. Look at the stats for people with very low intelligence or intellectual disabilities who have been executed in the US. Look at the stats for the number of people who have been proven innocent after execution when new evidence appears. And apart from all that – it just doesn’t work as a deterrent. These kind of people don’t make logical ‘cost/benefit analysis’ type decisions about the risks of getting caught or executed.
Heartbreaking and now the worry she could get sick.. If the person who took her knows the family then it’s possible he also knew she has cerebral palsey very sad and hard to comprehend what is happening how wonderful it would be to see her returned safely to her family please god wherever she is bless her
Praying this comes to a good ending.
A lot of unusual angles to this but the one that I can’t understand is who was minding April while parents went to the school meeting ?
Hope she is found safe soon.
This is heartwrenching ? that poor lil darling ? plZzzzzz angels protect n provide guided clues to retrieve this defenceless lil pet x x x
There’s something that doesn’t seem right about this. Surely he has to know something if they’ve kept him this long. I can’t even begin to imagine what the family are going through. It just seems that with each passing day thing are looking like they are not going to end well. I hope that little girl is found alive. I really do. Sit tight little angel x
Shane Hogan, America has guns guns guns and Hollywood and a leadership that loves war, big difference! its to easy to pull a trigger, there are no easy answers. What would you suggest happen to perpetrators like this guy possibly is, look at the guy in Australia, he had served time for rape before, if he had been properly taken out of society, that incident would not have happened. That sicko in Norway will be walking the streets in just under 20 years. Call me extreme if you like but the world is running out of alternatives!
This is horrific. The world is becoming more unsafe. The poor little mite.
This is surely one situation where police should be allowed to physically torture the bastard until he spills the beans
And what if it then turns out he is innocent?
Like the Birmingham six? Yeah great idea
Sorry for double posting. Dunno what happened.
I hope this little girl is found safe and returned to her family, what is the world coming to ? Nobody is safe anymore :(
So sad
Absolutely devastating. Really makes you appreciate the most important people in your life. Cherish your loved ones everyday and don’t take anything for granted. Life is too short and far too tragic in some instances. I’m praying for April and her family.
Seeing her mum break down brought tears to my own eyes vile people out there.
oh my god… No family should have to go through what the “Jones” family are going through…
We are still praying for young April’s safe return…
I do not understand why people would give a red tumbnail to my previous comment…
God poor baby, that last pic of her in the orange dress is so like Madeline MaCain it so scarey. Poor little one Rees hoping shes found safe
Hopefully this little girl has not been molested. I’m mindful of the advertisements on television about children’s nappies and the way these are exposed showing the babies backsides. I think these ads should be stopped forthwith as they could be an attraction to those molestors. I could be wrong about this but I feel that childrens ads should be more carefully scrutinised.
there is something very ‘off’ about this comment. How would you even come to that conclusion?
Are you for real ? Who thinks of nappy adverts and relates it to molestation. The fact that you even point out something so specific worries me.
Are you for real?
why in earth would u Post a comment like that ……
I sincerely hope April will be found safe and well.
It would appear that this named individual is playing out a sick fantasy with the police
Fear of the unknown weighs heavily on the shoulders of this family who we must pray for. God be good. Let this mite be found ASAP
I hope that Dyfed & Powys Police have some pretty compelling evidence against Mr. Bridger. Holding up his picture and that of his distinctive Landrover (white van?) up to the cameras could seriously jeopardize their case.
If their only objective is finding April alive, then this may make sense.
Given that the man they suspect of taking her is in custody and obviously not with her, the likelihood of achieving that goal seems very remote.
In the meantime, everything they do is ensuring the guy will get off scot free.
Well they’ve looked for more time with him, so clearly he’s not playing ball. Maybe they released his picture to jog people’s memory if they saw him that day. I really hope she is found safe and well but I can’t shake the feeling she’s been sold on or something Wales close to the ferry etc… Horrible thought but a possibility nonetheless hope I’m wrong and she’s found.
All sorts of studies have shown that when Police show pictures of “suspects” hundred of people suddenly “recognize” them. Whether the guy is guilty or not, thi sis VERY bad police practise, which could render much of their evidence inadmissable (assuming Mr. Bridger had anything to do with it).
Remember what happened to Christopher Jefferies in Bristol in December 2010?
: (
Hope is all her Parents have left and faith that she will be home safe and sound .. Not long ago a child in England went missing .. Turned out a family relation had taken her for the ransom .. That young girl also had been abducted by a family relation and was found a week later..
I’m not saying this is the case here! I hope she is brought home safe sooner than later from this horrible ordeal , back in her parents hearts alive .. And that no harm has been done to her ..
Somebody some where must know something ..I hope they break their silence ..
All very odd. Why did they arrest that man? Has he a background in sex crimes?
My sincere apologies for the posting on April Jones. I was just trying to point out that if a child molester was responsible for the abduction would the advertisement about the child nappies have any bearing on the minds of these people? I was simply trying to bring these nappy ads to attention plus other childrens ads. I have children too and also grand children the same age as April and I pray that this never happens again and that whoever is responsibe for April is picked up soon and receives the justice he deserves. I have only just recently joined the comments section and I will certainly choose the rights words in future. Again my sincere apologies for the posting.
Excuse me for my ignorance/stupidity why is it bad practice? And why would evidence be inadmissible just generally wondering..I thought police released suspects names whenever they could? Can someone explain it to me?
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