POLICE SCOTLAND has activated CHILD RESCUE ALERT to assist in tracing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular in Edinburgh. A dedicated telephone number has been established for anyone who has seen Mikaeel or has information about his whereabouts.
This number is 0300 200 0200.
Calls to this number will be answered by dedicated members of staff who will take details of any information provided to assist with the inquiry.
By launching Child Rescue Alert, which is supported by all UK Police Forces, it is hoped that the public and media can assist Police Scotland in safely tracing Mikaeel. Police are seeking information specifically from anyone who has seen Mikaeel or anyone matching his description in the last 24 hours.
The current focus of the co-ordinated searches remains in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh, which includes Muirhouse, Pennywell and Silverknowes. Specialist officers and resources are working with officers from City of Edinburgh Division to trace Mikaeel. Mikaeel is described as being of Asian appearance, two feet tall and of slim build. He was possibly wearing a thigh length beige jacket with grey fur lined hood, black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top featuring an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clark shoes with two Velcro straps. He has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left hand side of his mouth.
A photograph of Mikaeel, which was taken just prior to Christmas, has been widely circulated. His hair may be slightly longer than featured in the photograph.
He was last seen in his home in Ferry Gait Crescent around 9pm on Wednesday, January 15 when he went to bed. His mother raised the alarm at 7.15am today (Thursday, January 16) when she discovered he was not in his bed and a full Police response was put in place. Mikaeel communicates well and speaks English.
Intensive searches are taking place in his community and local residents from the area have been assisting. Members of the public are asked as a matter of urgency to check all property including gardens, out buildings, garages, sheds and vehicles for Mikaeel.
If people are aware their neighbours are not available to carry out these checks, they are asked to do it on their behalf. Door to door inquiries are being conducted in support of the search. Specialist support has been provided by Operational Support Division including Air Support, Roads Policing, Police dogs and trained search officers.
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