'Eight days of torture': Happy update as 13-year-old Lillia was found safely last night
In a happy update, 13-year-old Lillia has been found safely after a huge police appeal that spanned the North West but caused her parents 'Eight days of torture'.
A 13-year-old girl reported missing has been found “safe and well” by police in a search that lasted more than a week.
Lillia, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was reported missing by her family on September 11.
Officers on a “dedicated proactive patrol” in the city centre found her on Saturday evening.
This came hours after the force issued a CCTV clip of Lillia near Manchester Piccadilly station to assist the search.
The image taken on Monday morning had been the last known sighting of the girl.
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, of Greater Manchester Police, described it as “eight days of torture” for the family.
Paying tribute, the district commander for Bolton said Lillia’s mother “has worked with us throughout this investigation, she has shown incredible strength in what has been eight days of torture for her and her family”.
She said: “We have kept her updated throughout and it gives me immense pleasure that we can reunite her with her little girl.
“In what will be a truly emotional time, I would request that Lillia, her mum and her family are given the privacy and respect they deserve following an incident such as this.”
Members of the public from across the country submitted information to police.
Ms Critchley said: “Without your support, we would not have been able to track Lillia down and bring her home safely.”
An image of Lillia was circulated to each on-duty officer, she said, adding: “Thankfully, officers noticed someone that looked like her and engaged and ascertained it was Lillia.
“The role of the media cannot be understated as well, the sharing of appeals, pictures and the press conference we held with Lillia’s mum hitting TV screens has been a massive help, I cannot thank them enough.”