Police search for missing parents

Police are searching a river for a missing man and woman after a 13-year-old girl was found alone on a boat.

The girl was unharmed when she was discovered on the vessel moored on the Norfolk Broads by officers early yesterday evening.

The alarm was raised after a member of the public called police at around 5pm concerned that a holiday hire boat had not been returned as arranged at the end of the week.

The boat was then quickly located tied to a tree close to Salhouse Little Broad.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said a mile-long stretch of the River Bure had been closed in the Hoveton area between Salhouse Broad and Wroxham Broad as police search the area.

The closure was made in consultation with the Broads Authority.

The girl spent the night in protective police custody and was due to be spoken to by specially trained officers today.

The boat has been recovered and returned to a boat yard at Horning where it will be examined.

The police spokesman said: "Inquiries are on-going to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and to establish the whereabouts of the 13 year old's parents."

PA