Fears that missing Mikaeel ‘may be victim of criminal act’
Police are investigating the possibility that three-year-old Mikaeel Kular was taken in a criminal act – but still say he could have also left his family’s flat of his own accord.
Mikaeel disappeared from his home in Edinburgh after being put to bed on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of people have joined in the search for the missing youngster as police said they are becoming increasingly concerned.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, of Police Scotland, said it is possible that Mikaeel left his family’s flat in Edinburgh of his own accord.
But he added: “It is, however, entirely possible that Mikaeel has become subject of a criminal act and our investigation has been established as a twin track to ensure that eventuality is being, and will be, fully explored.”
Police also said they have been unable to confirm any sightings of Mikaeel.
Police had earlier said they were investigating a “potential sighting” of Mikaeel on Thursday night.
Members of the public reported seeing a boy who was “small in build and alone” in West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, at around 8.30am on Thursday.
The timing of the sighting has been confirmed by CCTV but the film cannot confirm the identity of the child, Police Scotland said.
Police Scotland say hunt for Mikkaeel is a twin investigation. Possible he left of his own accord, possible he was taken in a criminal act.
— Ciaran Jenkins (@C4Ciaran) January 17, 2014
Police Scotlad: “grave concern that Mikaeel now missing for 48 hours. We’ve been unable to confirm ANY sightings of Mikaeel.”
— Ciaran Jenkins (@C4Ciaran) January 17, 2014
Hundreds of officers are involved in the search and specialist search teams, mounted officers, dogs, other emergency services and local organisations will also be involved in the investigation today.
Police Scotland Superintendent Liz McAinsh said more than 150 calls had been made to the helpline which has been set up but there have been no confirmed sightings yet.
CCTV from the scene has been examined but has turned up “nothing significant” so far, she said.
She said she was not aware of any tension in the family that would have caused Mikaeel to run away.
The boy’s mother has been named locally as Rosdeep Kular, 33.
Ms McAinsh added: “Mikaeel’s mother is getting a lot of support from both the police, her family and her friends, but clearly she is very distraught, she just wants her little boy back home with his brothers and sisters.
“We are very concerned for her. We just want to be able to give her some news or let her know he is safe and well.”
She said that officers have spoken to Mikaeel’s father and that all of the boy’s family have been very helpful to the police.
The search for #MikaeelKular is now focused on Crammond Beach about a mile from his home. pic.twitter.com/dayDWR4sqw
— Ciaran Jenkins (@C4Ciaran) January 17, 2014
A police helicopter, sniffer dogs, coastguard and lifeboat teams have been searching the area surrounding the flat he shares with four siblings in Ferry Gait Crescent.
Mikaeel was put to bed by his mother at around 9pm on Wednesday, but when she went to his room at 7.15am on Thursday he was missing. His jacket and shoes were missing, and police are looking into whether he might have left of his own accord.
Mikaeel is slim, three feet tall and of Asian appearance. He is possibly wearing a thigh-length beige hooded coat.
He may also be wearing black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top with an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clarks shoes. He has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left hand side of his mouth.
Police are asking anyone with information to call 0300 200 0200, which will be answered by dedicated members of staff.