Louise Smith missing: Police close off Havant Thicket after body found

Police have closed off access to Havant Thicket after a body was found this morning in the search for missing teenager Louise Smith.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 21st May 2020, 20:15 BST
Updated 22nd May 2020, 10:17 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The discovery is being treated as suspicious. Two people were previously arrested on suspicion of kidnap but were bailed.

No new arrests were made today, Hampshire police confirmed.

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Mackechnie said: ‘We know that news of this discovery will be very upsetting for the community, so I want to reassure you that we will be working around the clock to establish what has happened.’

Police at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah StandingPolice at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah Standing
Police at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah Standing
Read More
Louise Smith: Body found in search for Havant girl, 16, as police rule death 'su...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or see to mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC20E08-PO1

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Police at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah StandingPolice at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah Standing
Police at Havant Thicket on May 21 2020 on the night that Hampshire police said they found a body in the search for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith from Havant after she went missing on VE Day, May 8 2020. Picture: Sarah Standing

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.