Police arrest a man and a woman, both 29, in search for missing 16-year-old girl whose phone was switched off in a skate park near her home two hours after she was last seen
- Police have arrested two people on suspicion of kidnapping Louise Smith, 16
- Teenager Louise Smith was last seen around midday on May 8 last week
- Detectives tracked her phone to Emsworth skate park near Havant, Hampshire
- Hampshire Police have appealed for her to make contact with them or family
Police have arrested a man and a woman, both 29, on suspicion of kidnapping a 16-year-old girl who has been missing for seven days.
Louise Smith’s phone was found at Emsworth skate park near Havant in Hampshire two hours after she was last seen at midday on May 8, in Somborne Drive, Havant, Hampshire.
The two people arrested are currently in custody for questioning.
They were arrested after the police carried out house-to-house inquiries and collected CCTV footage.
Hampshire Police’s Chief Inspector Alex Reading said: ‘Louise, if you are reading this, please call us and let us know you are okay.
‘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 okay.’
Louise Smith, 16, disappeared around midday on Friday May 8 from Havant, Hampshire
Her mobile has been tracked to Emsworth skate park, pictured, before it was switched off
Police thanked the community for helping and reassured everyone that this is still a missing persons investigation.
‘I know the public would expect us to explore all lines of enquiries in order to find Louise and as such we must move forward with an open mind as to where she might be,’ said Chief Inspector Reading.
Police will continue to work over the weekend and are searching for Louise in the Leigh Park area.
Louise (pictured) was last seen wearing black jeans, a black and white striped t-shirt, black trainers and a black coat with a fur hood
‘If anyone has any concerns or if you think you might have some information which might help, please speak to us,’ they said.
Her family speculated that she would not switch her phone on knowing that the police can trace her.
Louise was last seen wearing black jeans, a black and white striped t-shirt, black trainers and a black coat with a fur hood.
A picture released by her family to assist in the investigation shows her in a teal dress which she is believed to have worn to prom
A picture released by her family to assist in the investigation shows her in a teal dress which she is believed to have worn to prom.
She was described as white, around 5ft 2 ins tall, of slim build and with straight, black, shoulder-length hair.
A spokesman for Hampshire Police said this week: ‘She has not been in contact since and we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.’
Worried friends and relatives have set up a website for people to share and leave messages and to help co-ordinate the local search for her.
They have asked the public not to hamper the police investigation, particularly with the coronavirus lockdown.
Kat Foy created a community group dedicated to finding Louise. She said that the public should not do their own searches but only contact Hampshire Police if they have information.
She added: ‘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 see Louise please do not approach her, it may scare her, please dial 101.’