Family make emotional appeal for return of Hanwell teenager

The family of missing 14-year-old Alice Gross from Hanwell have made an emotional appeal for her to return as detectives continue their investigation into her disappearance.

Jose Gross and Rosalind Hodgkiss, speaking at the family home today (1 September), urged their daughter Alice Gross to make contact.

They said: "Alice is a talented, smart and lively girl. She is very passionate about music and is amazingly skilled. Alice is a thoughtful girl and it's these attributes we miss.

"I want to directly appeal to Alice and say that 'Alice, we just want you home'. We miss you and we love you and we just want you back with us. You are not in any trouble, please pick up the phone and let us know that you are ok. We want to support you so please get in contact."

Alice's sister, Nina, has set up a Facebook page to appeal for information.

Nina, 19, added: "You're the greatest sister ever. I miss you and I love you and I just want you home where you belong. You need to know that you are loved."

Officers have confirmed that a line of enquiry centres on a song-writing workshop attended by Alice Gross in Camden last month Sergeant Chris Naughton, from the Ealing Missing Persons Unit, said: "Five days on we are becoming increasingly worried about Alice.

"We know that Alice was on a song-writing workshop at the Camden Roundhouse between 18-22 August and there is a possibility she may have made some new friends. This is one line of enquiry that we are exploring and I am keen to speak to anyone who was with Alice during that week-long course. Any information that you do provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Alice was last seen at 1pm on Thursday, 28 August, when she left her home address in Hanwell. She told her family she would be home that evening, but she did not return.

Alice is white, 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build with shoulder-length, light brown hair.

When last seen, she was wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green lacy cardigan and denim blue 'Vans' shoes. She may have tartan-framed spectacles with her.

Alice regularly walked in Kew, Brentford and Richmond by the river and canal and, according to her family, the last recorded use of her mobile phone before it was switched off was in Kew. They have appealed particularly to people who walk in these areas to be on the look out for Alice.

Anyone who has seen Alice or has information that may assist the investigation should call officers from Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or 101. Alternatively call the charity Missing People on 116000.

1st September 2014