Missing boy: ‘No evidence to suggest criminality’ – police

Mikaeel Kular was last seen going to bed at his family’s flat in Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh, at around 9pm on Thursday evening. His mother discovered he was missing at 7.15am this morning when the family woke up.

The child’s jacket and shoes were missing from the property and police are investigating whether he might have left of his own accord.

Efforts are being made to track down Mikaeel’s father, who is understood to be of Pakistani origin.

‘No evidence of criminality’

Police Scotland Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “There is no evidence to suggest criminality at the moment but clearly we are keeping an open mind.

“We’re a big organisation now with Police Scotland and we are using all of the resources at our disposal to look for this three-year-old boy.”

Asked whether she thought Mikaeel might have left of his own accord, Ms McAinsh told reporters: “We know that his jacket and shoes are not within the property so we are following up all lines of inquiry in that regard.

“We don’t know if he may have left of his own volition, but obviously that’s one line of inquiry we are following up.”

Edinburgh police have issued this image of missing boy Mikaeel Kular, in the jacket he was believed to be wearing when he disappeared.

Asked whether there were any custody issues with the family, Ms McAinsh said: “Obviously we are following all lines of inquiry, there are no concerns that we have at the moment. We are following all lines of inquiry with all partner agencies and with the family and the family are being very helpful at the moment.

“As you can imagine, Mikaeel’s mother is distraught. She just wants our help and the public’s help in finding her little boy.”

The police search, which has involved the police helicopter, is focusing on the Pennywell and Muirhouse areas of the city and people are being urged to keep an eye out for the boy.

They are also searching the coastline. A police helicopter, sniffer dogs, coastguard and lifeboat teams have been tasked in the search for the toddler who was last seen at his family’s flat in Ferry Gait Crescent at around 9pm.

January 16, 2014

January 16, 2014

Police in Edinburgh have released an image of missing 3 year boy Mikaeel Kular. pic.twitter.com/OkgOeppC7k

— EdinburghPolice (@EdinburghPolice) January 16, 2014

A dedicated Child Rescue Alert telephone number has been set up for anyone who has seen the child or has information about his whereabouts.

The dedicated number for anyone with information on the child’s disappearance is 0300 200 0200.

The little boy is described as 3ft, of Asian appearance and possibly wearing a beige hooded jacket, blue jogging bottoms, brown shoes and nightwear. Officers asked anyone who believes they have seen Mikaeel last night or this morning to contact police immediately.

Temperatures overnight in Edinburgh dropped to 2.3C (36F) by 4am, according to the Met Office.

Chief Inspector Sara Buchanan said: “We have currently got a large police presence within the Drylaw area as we conduct our inquiries to trace Mikaeel.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing a young boy matching his description since yesterday evening to contact police immediately.

“As part of our investigation we are also trying to determine how the child has left his home and anyone with information that can assist with these inquiries is also asked to get in touch.”

Police would particularly like to speak with anyone travelling through the Muirhouse and Pennywell areas this morning who may have seen the youngster walking on his own.

Police today detained a man in the city’s Waterfront Gait but said it was unconnected with the boy’s disappearance.

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.