Police make plea in Aisling Symes case

The detective heading the search for missing two-year-old Aisling Symes has made a personal plea to whoever is responsible for the little girl's disappearance.

Inspector Gary Davey today issued the plea to the person responsible for Aisling's disappearance to call him directly.

"I'm personally appealing to whoever has Aisling or who knows what's happened to her, to call me."

"Whoever you are, you might be scared, or intimidated by police activity over the past week," he said.

"Don't be, call me."

"We just want to know where Aisling is."

Mr Davey said as the father of two children he understood some parents may be concerned sending their children back to school tomorrow.

"I encourage communities to take whatever safety precautions they feel are appropriate with regard to young children, without becoming unduly fearful."

At least 60 staff are involved in the search for the two-year-old, who went missing about 5.15pm last Monday outside her deceased grandparents' home in Henderson.

Aisling was last seen with an unidentified Asian woman who was walking a black and grey medium-sized dog in Longburn Rd. Police have still not traced her.

Mr Davey said Aisling's disappearance was a "unique instance".

"No one knows, at the moment, what has happened to Aisling."

Mr Davey earlier said police were continuing with an area canvas today and were still searching for a breakthrough in the case.

They were working through a list of persons of interest and through reports of suspicious activity, from information supplied by members of the public.

Aisling's parents Angela and Alan, also have another daughter Caitlin, five.

Security guard Alan, who emigrated from Ireland 20 years ago, told Sunday News that the last 24 hours had been the most "difficult of the last week".

"We had a very unsettled night. The wait is so painful," Alan added.

"As time goes on it gets so much harder, but we are not giving up on our little girl. We never will."

Angela broke her silence on Friday.

"She belongs with us. She needs to be back with us."

In England, the parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann expressed their sympathy with the Symes family.

Madeleine disappeared on holiday in Portugal in May 2007, just days short of her fourth birthday, while her parent dined at a nearby hotel.

Despite a massive worldwide hunt, she has not been found.

Mr and Mrs McCann said their thoughts and prayers were with Aisling and her family.

"We wish Aisling's parents the strength and support they will be needing at this most painful time, and we join them in hoping for Aisling's safe and speedy return," they said in a statement.

"We urge anyone who has any information about Aisling to come forward to the local police as soon as possible and end this family's suffering."

- If you have any information, phone 0800 4247 5464

 

- © Fairfax NZ News