Man held as search for April intensifies

The man arrested over the abduction of missing 5-year-old April Jones was known to her family, it emerged last night.

Police said they hoped she would still be found safe.

The family of April, who has been abducted from her home town, said last night their lives have been “shattered” and pleaded for her safe return.

April was last seen getting into a van in Machynlleth in mid-Wales on Monday and a 46-year-old man, named by sources as Mark Bridger, was yesterday arrested on suspicion of her abduction.

In a statement, read by Det Supt Reg Bevan of Dyfed Powys police, April’s family said: “Last night our lives were shattered when our beautiful little girl April, who was playing with friends, was taken from us.

“We are devastated and our lives have stopped. Please, please, if you have our little girl, let her come home to us.

“This is such a small, close-knit community and we plead with anyone who has any information, no matter how small they may think it is, to contact the police immediately. Please help us bring home our beautiful little girl.’

Bevan said detectives were “following various lines of inquiry”.

Bridger, from Machynlleth, was caught on foot but his empty car was quickly recovered, police said.

Forensic officers continued to examine the vehicle — which they said the man “had use of”.

Detectives were also examining whether April’s abduction was linked to attempted abduction in the Aberystwyth area around a week ago, and were looking closely at the movements of registered sex offenders in the area.

The developments in the investigation came shortly before April’s parents Coral, 40, and Paul, 43 had been due to make a public appeal at a press conference.

It is understood details of the arrest meant they were too upset to appear before the cameras.

At the press conference, Bevan said: “We were pursuing a number of inquiries. Some of those were searching addresses.

“We are still pursuing all lines of inquiry with a view that April is still alive, and we will continue to do so until we find her.”

A massive search was mounted after April was seen getting in a light coloured van near her home in Brynygog at about 7.30pm on Monday.

April’s godmother, Mair Raftree, 41, from Aberystwyth, said: “She’s a quiet girl, and an important member of her family. She would never go with anybody and ask for a lift. We just want her back safely.”

Neighbours on the quiet former council estate where April was taken also expressed their shock.

Mathew Harris, 22, who lives on the same street, said: “The general feeling is one of disbelief. Nobody can take it on board.

“Every new family that comes to live here says what a great place it is to bring up kids. They can run free outside, riding bikes or playing football, without any trouble.”

As details of the abduction emerged, an entire community came together, with more than 200 volunteers taking part in the search.

The bid to trace April also went online, with thousands joining a group on Facebook and the topic trending on Twitter.

As well as deploying Dyfed Powys Police force’s helicopter, trained officers were also seen searching the bank along the River Dyfi.

As the search intensified, officers restricted access down the A487 road heading north from Machynlleth close to the railway station.

Superintendent Ian John, the local police commander, said: “We are hopeful that we can still find April.”

He confirmed search efforts had focused on checking on the whereabouts of registered sex offenders known to live in the area.

“In this type of investigation we will be looking back through those types of links,” he added.