The detective leading the investigation into the disappearance of a nine-year-old West Yorkshire schoolgirl has told of his fears that she "may have fallen into the wrong hands".
Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan spoke at a press conference in Dewsbury exactly a week after Shannon Matthews was reported missing.
Hundreds of police have searched the Dewsbury area since Shannon failed to return home from school last Tuesd
ay.
Mr Brennan told reporters: "What concerns me greatly at this point is that Shannon is a vulnerable nine-year-old girl who may have fallen into the wrong han
ds."
A dozen police have conducted a fingertip search of the house next to the home of the missing girl, at Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor.
The house belongs to Neil Hyett, uncle of missing nine-year-old Shannon Matthews, and his wife, Amanda.
West Yorkshire Police said the searches were routine.
Meanwhile, friends and neighbours of Shannon will hold a vigil on Tuesday night - exactly one week after she disappeared.
Worried residents will walk with colourful balloons from the local community centre in Dewsbury Moor to Shannon's home. A banner strung across the house in Moorside Road will urge the nine-year-old to come home.
Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Wakefield, allegedly on the same day Shannon went missing, although this is not linked to her disappearance.
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Uncle's house searched in Shannon huntNew appeals over missing ShannonCopyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2008, All Rights Reserved.
