Three men have been arrested for kidnap in connection with the disappearance of a schoolgirl who vanished after travelling 175 miles to a London party.
Carmelle Hepi, 13, was reported missing from home in Barnsley after midnight on Sunday.
Detectives believed she travelled to London by train on Saturday and attended a birthday party in Watling Street, Peckham, that evening.
It is believed she left with another group of people in a car at around 11 pm and later attended addresses in Croydon, Lewisham and Purfleet in Essex.
Detectives are very concerned for her welfare. If seen, call 999 immediately, or to give info as to where she is, call 101 ref CAD 3258/25JUN23.https://t.co/vUkXPoNuSJ pic.twitter.com/x0qd7rt46q
— Southwark Police | Central South BCU (@MPSSouthwark) June 28, 2023
While police don’t believe she has come to serious harm, the investigation is led by detectives from the Met’s specialist crime team.
The force said that three males, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and remain in custody.
Police believe she was photographed in a car in the Peckham area on Sunday.
They have also released CCTV footage showing her entering the Primark in High Street, Croydon, at around 4.45 pm later that day before leaving around 5.05 pm.
An adolescent woman has disappeared from a celebration 175 miles from her house as three males are detained for abduction.
Authorities are afraid that Carmelle Hepi can be with an ‘older male’ after she takes a trip from Barnsley to London for a celebration.
Schoolgirl Carmelle Hepi Vanishes After Journeying 175 Miles to London Event
The teen headed to London to participate in a celebration over the weekend break prior, to she disappeared throughout the evening on Sunday.
Her concerned family members reported her missing out to South Yorkshire Authorities following midnight, which passed it on to the Met Authorities.
Ever since, three males, any age in their 20s, have been detained on the uncertainty of abducting and also continue to be captive.
Carmelle Hepi, from Barnsley, travelled to London on Saturday for a party and has not been seen since. Carmelle Hepi has gone missing after going to a birthday party. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap after a 13-year-old girl went missing from a birthday party. Carmelle Hepi was reported missing on Sunday, the Met Police said.
13-Year-Old Carmelle Hepi Reported Missing
The force said Carmelle, from Barnsley, went to London on Saturday before going to a party in Peckham and leaving with a group of people at about 23:00 BST. She is also believed to have been at addresses in Croydon, Lewisham and Purfleet in Essex.
A force representative said while there was no information to suggest Carmelle had “come to serious harm”, her “age, vulnerabilities, and concerns around who she may be associating with” had meant the investigation to locate her is being led by detectives from Specialist Crime. headtopics.com
They said officers believe Carmelle “may now be in the company of an older male”, but it was not known yet where they might be. Three men, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap.
Officers say Carmelle may now be in the company of an older male. It has yet to be discovered where they might be.
A Met spokesman said: “Officers are in regular contact with Carmelle’s family in Barnsley and have spoken to the people at the party.
“While there is no information to suggest that Carmelle has come to severe harm due to her age, vulnerabilities, and concerns around who she may be associating with, the investigation to locate her is being led by detectives from Specialist Crime.
Carmelle Hepi, 13, Vanishes After Travelling to London Party
“Three males, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap. All remain in custody at this time.”
CCTV captured the teenager walking into the Primark in High Street, Croydon, on her own at around 4.45 pm on Sunday before leaving around 5.05 pm.
She is caught wearing a pink and white jacket that police believe she will still wear.
Investigating officer DCI Chris Wood said: “Carmelle, I want you to know that you are not in any trouble whatsoever. Our only focus is making sure that you are safe and well.
“Please call 999 and speak to us, or go to a police station, and we will get you back home safely.
“Your family are desperately worried about you, and while we’re supporting them as best we can, they need to know that you’re OK and to come home. They cannot rest until you’re back with them.”
DCI Wood added: “If you have seen Carmelle or know her and have information about where she is or has been, you must contact us.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a friend who has heard or seen something in passing – you won’t be in trouble. What matters is that you contact us as you could have important information to help us find a missing teenage girl.”
