Police launch appeal for missing Lancashire teen Jessica Wallwork

Police have launched an urgent appeal to help find a teenage girl who has been missing since Sunday. (28 August) Jessica Wallwork, 13, was last seen at about 20:45 BST leaving an address in Railway Street in her home town of Nelson, Lancashire.

Detectives believe she may be with 47-year-old Dean Hughes. He is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with short grey hair and brown eyes and speaks with a soft north-west accent.

Jessica is white with shoulder-length, light-brown hair and was wearing a blue hooded top, blue skinny jeans and a cream-coloured handbag.

The pair are believed to be in a black Vauxhall Insignia with the registration plate BN09 FDP, which police traced to Ulverston in Cumbria at about 15:00 on Wednesday (31 August) BBC News reports.

Hughes is wanted on suspicion of child abduction as police expressed "serious concerns" about Jessica's welfare".

Det Ch Insp Jill Johnston said: "We are extremely concerned following Jessica's disappearance and are appealing for the public's help in finding her. Clearly Jessica is only 13 years old and we have serious concerns about her welfare and would urge anyone with information as to her whereabouts to contact police immediately.

"Similarly we would urge Jessica, if she sees this appeal, to get in touch and let us know she is safe."

The public are advised not to approach the suspect.

Anyone who may have information on Jessica's wheareabouts has been urged to contact police on 101, quoting log number 955 of August 29.