Police have defended the investigation into the disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

The nine-year-old is still being questioned by specialist officers after a brief reunion with her mother Karen Matthews, 32, and stepfather Craig Meehan, 22.

Officers have been granted an extra 36 hours to question Mr Meehan's uncle Michael Donovan, formerly known as Michael Drake, over her abduction.

Shannon was discovered in the base of a divan bed at the 39-year-old's flat in the Batley Carr area of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, just a mile from Shannon's home.

Karen Matthews released a statement backing the police's decision to take Shannon into custody, saying: "I fully understand that the police need to keep speaking to Shannon.

"I appreciate that could take some time"

"I have seen Shannon and I am completely happy that she is being very well looked after and is being given all the care she needs."

"The most important thing is that Shannon is safe."

Chief Superintendent Barry South of West Yorkshire Police held a community meeting in Dewsbury Moor to face local criticism of the inquiry into Shannon's 24-day disappearance.

He rejected suggestions that police had failed to act on tip-offs about Shannon's location, saying: "Let me put on notice that, had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon, we would have been there within seconds."

Ch Supt South would not be drawn on when the schoolgirl would be allowed to go home, saying: "That's not for me to decide upon. We have got specialist people working with her.

"They will advise as to how that needs to happen and, more importantly, when it happens."

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