April Jones News: Dyfed Powys Police To End Search For Missing Girl Next Month

Police To End Search For April Jones Next Month

The search for missing April Jones is expected to end within weeks, police have said.

The five-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, was abducted from Machynlleth town's Bryn-y-Gog estate on October 1.

She had been playing out on her bike with friends on the evening in question as a treat for getting a glowing school report.

April went missing on 1 October 2012

Mark Bridger was arrested the day after the schoolgirl vanished and charged with the abduction and murder of April and perverting the course of justice by disposing of her body.

He denies the charges and is due to stand trial at Mold Crown Court on April 29.

A statement from Dyfed Powys Police said the search will be completed by the end of April, though: “There will of course remain a reactive team of specialist officers available to respond to any new information that is received.”

It added: “Throughout the search a range of specialist resources have been used from various agencies including police marine units, experts in searching confined spaces and mines, fire and rescue urban search and rescue teams, the coastguard and mountain rescue teams as well as specially trained CSI dogs from all over the UK.

Missing April Jones, pictured in front of a Christmas tree, in 2011

“On a weekly basis there have been 17 search teams comprising of a Sergeant and six PCs, including eight PoLSA, ten CSI Dogs.

“It has been a massive search operation where an area of 60 kilometres square has been searched including and have over 300 specific search areas. The terrain is extremely challenging. The mountains, gorges, streams and waterfalls in the area mean extra care has to be taken and specialist safety equipment has to be worn.

“The force made a commitment to search until all viable lines of enquiry were complete.”

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