Police 'committed' to keep searching for April Jones

 
MACHYNLLETH, WALES - OCTOBER 04: Members of a mountain rescue team search the River Dyfi as the hunt for missing April Jones continues on October 4, 2012 in Machynlleth, Wales. April Jones, a five-year-old girl was abducted from outside her house on Monday night. Police have arrested 46-year-old Mark Bridger in connection with her disappearance in the Machynlleth area. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
11 October 2012
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Search teams looking for five-year-old April Jones have pledged to continue looking for the little girl while they still have "viable lines of inquiry", following a meeting with her parents.

Paul and Coral Jones met officers yesterday as they continued efforts to find April who it is feared has been murdered.

Superintendent Ian John, who is leading the search for Dyfed Powys Police, said: "April's parents visited the base of the search teams yesterday and met some of the people who are involved in the search for their daughter. They are extremely grateful for all of the work that is being undertaken.

"One thing is clear: we will continue to search while we still have viable lines of inquiry."

April has been missing since October 1 when she vanished while playing with other children in the mid Wales town Machynlleth.

Yesterday Mark Bridger, 46, appeared in court accused of abducting and murdering April, and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing of her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Mr John said his search teams remain committed to finding the little girl as fears rise that she may never be found.

"I have spent time today speaking with the various search teams and one thing that shone through was their ongoing commitment to find April, and their motivation. We have to make people take time off to rest between their allocated shifts," he said.

"The Coastguard is searching the river from Borth to Towyn every day and the underwater search teams are at the estuary daily. We are all working through a detailed search plan.

"When we moved from a search for a missing person to a search for evidence we rechecked several areas. This is standard practice in police searching as the areas needed to be systematically and forensically searched.

"Although volunteers are no longer able to assist us with the search, they are providing a catering service for search teams, which is very gratefully received.

"Their desire to stay involved and do what they can to help is a credit to the community and neighbouring areas. They are contributing to the operation in whatever way they can."

Hundreds of people volunteered for the initial search for April but were called off as time progressed.

But they have continued supporting the hunt for the five-year-old, including by donating various items such as gloves and batteries, as well as preparing food.

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