Search launched after 'distressed' girl wearing bloodstained clothes goes missing in national park

The girl, thought to be 15, was seen by a concerned warden of River Dart country park in Dartmoor at 1.30pm yesterday.

The Dartmoor Rescue group was also called in to help try and locate the girl with long blonde hair as well as a police helicopter, tracker dog teams and thermal imaging gear.

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Devon and Cornwall police said the priority area was a 3km radius around where the girl was first seen, after a search advisor was also brought in.

Chief Inspector Dave Sumner said: "We are appealing for anyone with any sightings or information to contact the police immediately.

"If you were in the area at the time the girl was first seen, please get in touch.

"We are very keen to hear from anyone who can provide a genuine explanation for the sighting.

"If you know of a party happening in the area, or an event taking place around the time of the incident, contact the police."

The girl was wearing blue shorts, a white vest and light coloured trainers. As darkness fell on Thursday night, police brought in floodlights.

The concern was that temperatures - especially on the moor - fell dramatically to minus 2 and 3 degrees in this cold Easter spell.

One local said: "It was pretty misty up there too which did not help the searchers. It is also a huge park, so it wont be an easy operation.

"But the police have said they will stay up there for as long as it takes until they are satisfied that the person is no longer there."

Chief Insp Sumner said: "We just want to know what has gone on. There may be an innocent explanation. We want to make sure the girl is safe."

The girl has not been reported missing however and police are set to begin scaling down the search.