Police to search 2,000 houses in Shannon hunt

Detectives hunting for missing nine-year-old Shannon Matthews and will examine any new information they receive during the massive publicity drive in her home town.

The investigation has now entered its second week and officers are due to visit more than 2,000 houses in the Dewsbury area as they continue their search.

Shannon failed to return to her home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, last Tuesday after going for a swimming lesson.

Det Insp Andy Brennan, who is leading the investigation, said: "What concerns me greatly at this point is that Shannon is a vulnerable nine-year-old who may have fallen into the wrong hands."

Police have been speaking to drivers at five locations near the place where Shannon was last seen.

Around 1,500 motorists were stopped and quizzed during the search.

A large video display van showing messages to members of the public and including appeals was also brought into the area.

Mr Brennan has asked people to search their memories for anything that could help with the investigation.

He said: "Did you see anybody in the area who may have looked out of place or you may have not seen previously?

"Similarly, did you see any vehicles in the area that you haven't seen previously or looked out of place?"

He continued: "Do you have a family member, partner, close associate or neighbour who appears to have been behaving out of the ordinary or you now think was unusual?"

The police are following a number of "major strands of work" which include Shannon's close family, friends and work.

Mr Brennan added: "While we hope and pray that Shannon will be found safe and well, we remain gravely concerned.

"We are not excluding any possibility as to what has happened to Shannon that afternoon."

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