Girl aged 6 found safe after 'abduction' scare

A six-year-old girl believed to have been snatched from close to her home was found safe and well this morning, police said.

Summer Haipule was reported missing last night after a family friend spotted the youngster being dragged into a car outside a fish and chip shop less than a mile from her home in Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

A large police search had been continuing this morning until at 7.10am a neighbour alerted police to say the youngster was safe and well.

Police said Summer was found asleep under a cot at the neighbour's house. Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis said the house was visited twice during the night, but not searched.

This morning, the owner of the house went inside to check on her own child and found Summer asleep under the cot safe and well.

Mr Curtis said: "This is just the most amazing news. It's the best news we could have hoped for."

A family friend described the moment she saw Summer. Sue Walker rushed to the neighbour's house when she heard Summer had been found.

In tears, she said: "Summer's OK, she's safe. When I heard, I just rushed up to this house and scooped her up. She's bewildered."