Man, 54, is arrested for people trafficking as police launch urgent hunt for two teenage girls missing from their homes amid fears they ‘could be at risk of harm’
- Andreea, 15, was last seen at home in Canterbury, Kent, on Friday October 1
- Cousin Izabela, 16, was last seen on Sunday October 3 in Harrow, west London
- Police say the missing girls also have links to Leicester and Dundee, and the Metropolitan Police is working with Police Scotland to investigate
- An unnamed 54-year-old man was arrested Tuesday and is in custody in London
- Police have appealed for anyone who sees the girls to come forward
A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of people trafficking, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday.
The man, who has not been named, remained in custody at a north London police station.
The announcement of Tuesday’s arrest came as detectives appealed for the public’s help to locate two teenage girls who are missing from their homes and believed to be ‘at risk of harm,’ according to a press release.
Andreea, 15, was last seen on Friday, October 1 at her home in Canterbury, Kent. Her cousin Izabela, 16, was last seen on Sunday October 3 in Harrow, west London.
A high risk missing person investigation has been launched and officers are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry in an effort to locate the two girls, police said.
In addition to London and Kent, the girls are believed to have links to Leicester and Dundee.
Andreea, 15, was last seen on Friday, October 1 at her home in Canterbury, Kent
Izabela, Andreea’s 16-year-old cousin, was last seen on Sunday October 3 in Harrow, west London
Officers from Police Scotland are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.
‘We are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Andreea and Izabela,’ Detective Chief Inspector Tony Bellis, of the North West Public Protection Unit, said.
‘While we are keeping an open mind as to their whereabouts, we believe they may have been taken outside London by people who could do them harm.
‘I would like to appeal directly to Andreea and Izabela. You are not in trouble and there are people who want to help you. Please contact the police or someone you trust when it is safe to do so.
‘I would also urge members of the public, particularly in London and Dundee, to come forward if they have any information that could help us.’
Anyone who sees the girls should call 999. Anyone with other information about their whereabouts should call 101, giving the reference CAD7399/06OCT.
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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