Queen's Park couple and toddler still missing in Brighton as cot found

The collapsed grey tent and a white travel cot were found abandoned in Queen’s Park in the city as the search continues for a young man and woman and an 18-month-old child.

Helicopter searches last night proved fruitless and now police are worried that the trio are now without shelter in the winter weather.

Sussex Police DSI Kris Ottery said: “Since receiving a report of concern for welfare from a member of the public, we've had dedicated teams of officers working to identify these people and trace them, so we can make sure they’re safe and well.

A cot found in Queen's Park (Image: Sussex Police)

“Our priority is ensuring the welfare of all three people, particularly given the recent adverse weather. We are conscious they may have moved on from the Queens Park area and may have sought shelter elsewhere in the Brighton area.

“Specially-trained officers have been searching the park and other areas of interest, with the assistance of drones and the National Police Air Service helicopter, completing house-to-house enquiries, liaising with local transport networks and carrying out CCTV trawls in the vicinity.

“We have released photographs of the tent and cot as an appeal to any members of the public who may have seen these items in the area in the past couple of weeks. If you recognise these items or the descriptions provided, please contact us.”

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Descriptions of the young couple and child have been released with the toddler described as a boy with pale skin, blonde hair and rosy cheeks wearing a thick red snowsuit and blue wellington boots.

The young woman, believed to be in her teens, is described as slim and approximately five foot tall with messy blonde hair and blue eyes. She is thought to have a northern accent.

The young man, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, is said to be at least six foot tall and was last seen wearing a black tracksuit with a scarf covering half of his face.

They are also believed to have a pushchair filled with baggage.

A tent also found nearby (Image: Sussex Police)

The couple an child were first seen in Queen’s Park on Wednesday, December 6. A Police spokeswoman confirmed that this was the last confirmed sighting of the trio.

Sussex Police also confirmed that the couple and toddler were as yet unidentified but enquiries were ongoing.

The last sighting of the group has been confirmed to be in the east of Queen’s Park next to the tennis courts adjacent to East Drive.

Anyone with information or a possible sighting is asked to call 999 quoting Operation Sorrel.