999 Call Released In Search For Shannon

Police searching for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have released a recording of the 999 call made by her mother reporting that she had failed to come home.

Karen Matthews made the call when her nine-year-old daughter failed to return home following a school swimming trip on February 19.

During the call, Mrs Matthews, 32, appears to be in tears as she reports that her daughter is missing.

Mrs Matthews also tells the operator that there had been no arguments at home and that Shannon normally went to and from school on her own.

On Tuesday, police revealed that they had built up a composite fingerprint from Shannon's schoolbooks and items in her bedroom, as well as a full DNA profile.

Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said that 250 officers and 60 detectives were still involved in the search for her.

More than 500 homes on the route Shannon should have taken from her school - Westmoor Junior School - to her home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor have been searched by officers using sniffer dogs that are trained to find bodies.

Sex offenders in the area have also been questioned and it has also been revealed that police had carried out criminal checks on members of Shannon's family.

Police have also appealed for information about the swimsuit and towel Shannon had with her when she disappeared. The pink two-piece swimsuit with a blue fish design and a blue striped towel were in a plastic bag and have not been recovered. Police hope that, if they were discarded, someone may have spotted them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact: 01274 373737.

(KMcA/JM)