Isis: Missing London schoolgirls 'crossed border from Turkey to Syria' to join Islamic State

Police have said the three missing teenage girls reported to have fled the UK to join up with Islamic State (Isis) are now believed to have entered Syria.

The three schoolgirls, Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and 15-year-old Amira Abase, flew from London to Turkey on 17 February to fight alongside the Islamic terrorist group.

Metropolitan Police have said they have reason to believe the girls are no longer in Turkey and have crossed into Syria.

"Officers continue to work closely with the Turkish authorities on this investigation," a spokesperson added.

The news the girls may now have made it to Syria arrived after both the police and Turkish Airlines were criticised over the incident.

Met Police were forced to defend accusations they took too long to act after being alerted about the missing teenager's plans to travel to Syria.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added the airline has "serious questions" to answer about how it allowed the three girls to travel unaccompanied.

It has also been revealed Shamima was able to travel to Turkey using her 17-year-old sister's passport.

Bethnal Green Academy, the east London school where the girls attended, assured there is no evidence to suggest radicalisation took place there.