Louise Smith missing: Two people arrested for kidnapping as police continue desperate hunt for Havant teen

DETECTIVES hunting for a missing 16-year-old girl from Havant have arrested two people on suspicion of kidnap.
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Officers have been growing increasingly concerned over the safety of Louise Smith, who vanished on Friday.

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Since her disappearance detectives have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries, conducting searches and collecting CCTV.

Louise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire PoliceLouise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire Police
Louise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire Police

And following the investigation, police have announced they have arrested a 29-year-old man and 29-year-old woman on suspicion of kidnap. The pair remain in custody.

Hampshire police has said it is now stepping up its search for the missing teen, carrying out further enquiries tonight and over the weekend.

Chief Inspector Alex Reading said: ‘We’d like to reassure people that this is still very much a missing person investigation and our priority is to find Louise and make sure she is safe.

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‘We have been working hard since Louise was reported missing to locate her and so far we have received great support from the community, for which we are very thankful.

Louise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire PoliceLouise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire Police
Louise Smith, 16, has been missing since May 8. Photo: Hampshire Police

‘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.

‘Our work will continue over the weekend, with searches within the Leigh Park area, so if anyone has any concerns or if you think you might have some information which might help, please speak to us.

‘As you will appreciate, this an ongoing investigation so we are unable to go into any further details at this time, but please be assured we are doing everything we can to find Louise.’

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And in a desperate appeal to Louise, Chief Insp Reading said: ‘Louise, if you are reading this, please call us and let us know you are ok. 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 OK.’

Louise is white, about 5ft 2ins tall, slim with straight, black, shoulder-length hair. She was wearing black jeans, a black and white striped t-shirt, black trainers and a black coat with a fur hood - the same as pictured.

Anyone who may have seen Louise, or who has information about where she might be, should call police on 101, quoting the reference number 44200163113, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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