A massive search by police for two sisters aged 11 and eight was called off today after they were found safe and well, having spent the night in a derelict house.
Their mother raised the alarm yesterday evening when she was unable to find Liana Boyd and her younger sister Teigan who had been playing in a nearby park.
Officers failed to locate them last night.
Police this morning announced both girls had been found. They were looking for the missing girls at about 11.20am when they came across a 14-year-old girl, who was also missing and believed to have been with the sisters.
The 14-year-old led police to the derelict house where the girls were found.
They were discovered shortly after a team of officers were seen going into their home.
Police had been treating the case as “very high risk” because the girls’ disappearance was completely out of character. The sisters left their home in the Manchester suburb of Fallowfield to play in the evening sunshine in Whitworth Park at 8pm.
One report suggested a member of the family had been watching them from a window of their home before they disappeared.
Their mother Annette said she went to find them “a short while later” but they were nowhere to be seen. She frantically searched the park and dialled 999. Police said the park, which is close to Manchester Royal Infirmary, was filled with children and people taking advantage of the fine weather. Liana was described as about 5ft 2ins tall and was wearing a brown cardigan, black top and black leggings when she went missing. Teigan was wearing denim shorts and a green top.
Chief Superintendent Rob Potts of GMP said: "Until we have fully spoken to everyone involved we will have nothing further to release on this matter. The most important thing is that the girls have been found safe and well.
"We understood that the sisters were with another missing girl, and officers were given descriptions of all three.
"I would like to praise the actions of the police officer involved, who acted quickly and noticed the girl matching the description.
"I would also like to thank the media for their assistance in publicising this appeal.
"Liana and Teigan are safe and well, along with the 14-year-old girl who was also missing. We are speaking to all three to fully establish what happened and will be continuing to work with partner agencies."
