A couple and toddler being sought by police may not have been sleeping rough in a city park.
A young woman and man and a child believed to be around 18-months-old are at the heart of a search by police after concerns that they may have been sleeping rough in Queen’s Park, Brighton.
However, officers now believe that the trio “may not have been sleeping there overnight” despite a travel cot and tent being found in the area.
Sussex Police DS Kris Ottery said: “We appeal to the young man and woman subject of this search, if you believe you are the people we are seeking please make contact with us to let us know that you are safe and well.
“This was understandably a very concerning report and from the moment it came into us, we have treated it incredibly seriously and with the utmost importance.
“Our priority has always been to make sure the two people and toddler are safe and well.
“We’ve had dedicated teams of officers including PCSOs, PCs, sergeants and senior detectives working throughout the weekend to try and find them. We’ve searched vast areas throughout Brighton and Hove utilising our drones and National Police Air Service helicopter and have spoken to countless community members who have assisted us in our search.
“Safeguarding is at the heart of our investigation and we have worked closely with our partner agencies to ensure the search reaches the rest of the UK. We have sought the support of the National Crime Agency, other police forces, and homeless outreach in our efforts to identify the pair and toddler.”
A spokeswoman for the force also confirmed that “further information has come to light that suggests the family were frequenting the site in Queen’s Park and may not have been sleeping there overnight” but that enquiries were ongoing.
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A cot and a tent were found in the park on Wednesday night sparking a city-wide search for the trio.
Drones and a police helicopter were also used to scour parts of the city including Mile Oak on Friday night.
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 were also believed to have a pushchair filled with baggage.
Anyone with information is asked to continue to report to police either online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Sorrel. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
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