Murder squad detectives have taken over the hunt for missing former EastEnders actress Sian Blake and her children who have been missing for several weeks.
Blake, 43, was last seen on December 13 after visiting family in Leyton, east London, along with her sons Zachary Bilal Kent-Blake, eight, and Amon Ben George Kent-Blake, four.
Police are also concerned for the welfare of Blake's partner, and the father of her children, Arthur Simpson-Kent. The 48-year-old has not been seen since December 16 when officers spoke to him at the family home in Erith, Kent.
Sian Blake with 'EastEnders' co-star Howard Antony
The investigation to find the family continues to be treated as a high-risk missing persons inquiry, police say, but added that "due to concerns for their welfare" the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) was now leading the hunt.
The HMCC will provide their expertise and additional resources to the enquiry, police said in a statement Monday, while renewing calls for any information on the missing family.
Police said: "HMCC detectives retain an open mind concerning the circumstances of the family's disappearance, and consideration has been given to whether they may have become victims of a crime.
"At this stage this is one line of enquiry, but with the HMCC now providing additional resources and expertise to find them, it is still hoped that they can be returned home safe and well."
Blake and her children were reported missing after officers visited her home address and spoke to Simpson-Kent having received "information passed to us by another organisation".
When officers were then unable to contact Simpson-Kent a second time he became a "high-risk missing person".
"At this stage it is not known if the family is together or where they may have gone," police said.
Blake's silver/beige Renault Scenic - registration number SM54 FUO - was found in Calvert Avenue, Bethnal Green on January 3. It is not known why the vehicle was parked there and by whom, police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn of the HMCC said the family had been missing for a "considerable period of time now, and I am growing increasingly concerned for their welfare".
He added: "In particular Sian suffers from a serious life-threatening condition and we do not know if she is receiving the medication and treatment she requires to keep well.
"I am appealing directly to Sian and Arthur to get in touch with the police and let us know they are all well. I am also appealing to anyone who has seen the family or knows where they may be to get in touch as soon as possible."
Blake, who played homewrecker Frankie Pierre in BBC soap EastEnders in the 1990s, suffers from motor neurone disease.
According to website IMDb, the Frankie Pierre character featured in 56 episodes of the BBC soap opera between 1996 and 1997.
Blake is described as being 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build. Blake has short black hair and often wears glasses.
Simpson-Kent is described as a light skinned black man who is 6ft 2ins tall. Zachary and Amon are both described as light skinned black boys. It is not known what any of the family was wearing when they went missing.
