April Jones Missing: Cameron Praises Machynlleth As Search Continues

Cameron Praises Machynlleth For Response To April Jones' Disappearance

The community of Machynlleth has been praised by the prime minister for "lifting a whole country" by pulling together in the wake of the disappearance of five-year-old April Jones.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron said the way people of Wales had responded to the "appalling events" had "incredibly impressed" the whole of Britain.

His comments came as it was announced another 150 officers from police forces in Wales and England have been drafted in to replace the team already searching for April.

April Jones has been missing since 1 October

Supt Ian John said there will be no let up in the search for the missing five-year-old and that their focus is on the town of Ceinws, where suspect Mark Bridger lives. He praised blue light emergency services for their help searching Wales' rocky landscape.

The intensity of the search is undiminished, according to the police

Members of Brecon's voluntary Mountain Rescue Team were drafted in to help on Sunday.

Chairman of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, Simon Woodhead told Wales Online the level of support had been "breathtaking". The members were offered food and a place to stay by many locals in the area whilst taking part in the search.

The case has been a hugely emotional one and has attracted international attention.

Forensic officers have been seen searching through Bridger's rubbish, wardrobes and gardens looking for clues as to the five-year-old's whereabouts.

A fund set up for April's parents has reached over £20,000 with donations coming from as far afield as America.

Police Chaplain Tom Evans told Wales Online on Monday that April's disappearance had caused officers to break down in tears.

Yet community support has gone a long way in helping the operation. Without local support, police said the area searched last week alone would take one person almost nine years to complete.

Voluntary members of the mountain rescue team have been helping the police search for April

The mayor of Machynlleth Gareth Jones said: "Much has been reported about the strong community spirit in Machynlleth and how people turned out in their thousands to help in the search for April.

"This may be foreign to those unaccustomed to life in the Dyfi Valley but it is no surprise to any of us who are from here."

Mark Bridger has been accused of the abduction and murder of April Jones as well as perverting the course of justice. He remains remanded in custody with his next court appearance scheduled for January.

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