Parents back police hunt for missing girls

The parents of missing schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells today publicly backed the police investigation.

Kevin Wells, father of ten-year-old Holly, said: “We are absolutely convinced that police are doing all they can. They are our allies and friends throughout this investigation.”

He said they had been taken behind the scenes of the inquiry to “allay any fears” they may have had.

He added: “Everybody is working hard. We have seen it at first hand.”

Jessica's mother Sharon Chapman appealed directly to the abductor: "Give them back, just give them back."

Her husband Leslie Chapman said: "They're our children and we want them back. We miss them so much."

A midnight deadline passed with no word from an abductor who may have taken the girls.

A dramatic "call me" plea had been issued on TV and radio by the policeman leading the hunt for the missing 10-year-olds, Det Supt David Beck.

Mr Chapman said: "There's only one person who can make a phonecall and that phonecall wasn't made. Our families are grateful that we didn't get bad news."

He also thanked the public for their support.

The inquiry team - now 426 strong - is sifting through 14,000 items of information received since Holly and Jessica went missing.

They have followed many dud leads, including excavating two apparent graves in woodland near Newmarket, only to decide later they were badger sets.