Police say they hope Chloe Mitchell is safe and well as major search continues

PSNI Superintendent Gillian Kearney speaks during a press conference outside Ballymena police station, as the search has resumed in Co Antrim for missing woman Chloe Mitchell (Liam McBurney/PA)

A senior police officer has said she hopes that a Co Antrim woman who has been missing for almost a week is safe and well, as a major search operation continues.

Police confirmed that a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Chloe Mitchell, 21, from Ballymena has also been launched.