Police voice fears over missing teenage girl

Lancashire police who are searching for a missing teenager fear that she may be being forced to work as a prostitute.

Detectives are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 13-year-old Liliana (known as Lilly) Simona Andre Brooks who has been missing for four weeks.

She was last seen at home, in Dale Close, Parbold, Lancashire, at 8.10am on Thursday July 3 when she left to go to school. She had a phone conversation with her father at around 3pm when she said she was outside the family home, but has not been heard from since.

There has only been one confirmed sighting of Lilly, coming on that first day when she was seen in the market of the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre.

Police are also concerned about reports that Lilly may have been seen with two Asian men on Monday July 7. They are worried that she may be being held against her will and could be working as a prostitute in the Manchester area.

Chief Inspector Peter White said: "It is very worrying that there has been absolutely no contact from Lilly since the day after she went missing. While it may be that she is staying away from home deliberately, we have to consider the very real possibility that she is being forcibly held and used in the sex industry.

"Lilly's family has already said that although only 13, Lilly easily passes for a girl of 18. We have to face the unpalatable scenario that she is being traded as an adult and that her 'clients' are unaware of her real age. If this is the case, we would urge anyone who thinks they may have knowledge of her whereabouts to contact the police as soon as possible."

(GMcG)