Police find eight-year-old girl who went missing in Bristol

Police have found an eight-year-old girl 18 hours after she went missing in Bristol, sparking fears that she may have been abducted.

The girl was taken out by a family friend on Wednesday afternoon.

They were supposed to go to a McDonald’s in the city and had been expected to return to the family home in Bedminster within an hour but failed to come back.

Avon and Somerset police originally said there could be an innocent explanation but they were treating it as a possible abduction.

On Thursday morning, a police spokesperson said: “Officers have located eight-year-old girl safe and well in Bristol this morning following an appeal to trace her. A man and a woman have been arrested. We’d like to thank everyone who contacted us or shared our appeal.”

The force had earlier said the girl was believed to be with a neighbour and family friend, Annmarie Lawton, and an unknown man.

A spokesperson said: “Annmarie, 29, visited the girl’s home on Wednesday 16 December with a man known only as Adam. She and Adam took her out soon after 3pm to visit McDonald’s in Sheen Road, Bedminster. They were expected to return within an hour.

“They have not brought her home or returned to Annmarie’s own home since. Her mother reported her missing. While there may be a reasonable explanation, police are treating this investigation as an abduction.”