'Deep concern' for missing toddler as night-time temperatures near freezing

Police searching for a missing three-year-old boy said they are “deeply concerned” as they made a fresh appeal for help in finding him.

Mikaeel Kular disappeared from his home in Edinburgh after being put to bed on Wednesday night and hasn’t been seen since.

A major ground, air and sea search has so far failed to find any sign of him.

Police Scotland superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “We are obviously deeply concerned that we have had no sightings of Mikaeel. All lines of inquiry in the investigation remain open, we are pursuing many lines of inquiry.

“I would ask anyone who has got any information to get in touch with us. We still have no evidence of any criminality at this point.”

Family members were joined by neighbours and emergency services as they searched through the night for him as temperatures plunged to just above freezing.

Members of the local community who want to help with the search today are asked to go to the premises at North Neighbourhood Centre at West Pilton Gardens at 10am dressed in warm clothes and sturdy footwear.

The boy’s mother has been named locally as Rosdeep Kular, 33.

Ms McAinsh said: “Mikaeel’s mother is getting a lot of support from both the police, her family and her friends but clearly she is very distraught. She just wants her little boy back home with his brothers and sisters. We are very concerned for her. We just want to be able to give her some news or let her know he is safe and well.”

She said that officers have spoken to Mikaeel’s father and that all of the boy’s family have been very helpful to the police.

She added: “No one is detained, no one is a suspect, we have no evidence of any criminality.”

Asked whether she thinks the child will be found alive and well she said: “I remain optimistic but as time passes we become deeply concerned. I would stress that this is still a missing person inquiry and we are treating it as such."