6 Mar 2013

Five arrests over missing teenager Zoya Anwar

Police say they are “very concerned” for 18-year-old Zoya Anwar, from Walsall, who has been missing for more than a week.

Zoya Anwar was last seen by school friends on the afternoon of Tuesday 26 February

West Midlands Police say the teenager was last seen on Tuesday 26 February but her disappearance was not reported until last Friday.

Zoya is described as Asian, slim build, 5ft 6ins tall with shoulder length black hair.

Four men and a woman, aged between 27 and 48 and all from the Walsall area, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap. They were arrested on Tuesday and remain in custody helping police with enquiries.

Detective Superintendent Jo Chilton said: “Zoya has never been missing before and it is very out of character for her. Whilst we are keeping an open mind, we are very concerned for her and need to know she is safe and well as a matter of urgency.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to trace Zoya with specialist officers from across the force working around the clock to try to find her.

“We are looking into a number of possibilities around Zoya’s disappearance including her running away from home, her being taken against her will or any worries Zoya may have had herself. At this stage we cannot rule out anything more sinister and we looking into all possibilities.

“We are treating this as a major incident and we are doing all we can to find Zoya.”

A dedicated call centre has been set up where people can give information on Zoya’s disappearance – the number is 0800 092 0410.

Det Supt Chilton has also appealed directly to Zoya: “If Zoya hears this appeal herself, I want her to know that she is not in any trouble we just need to know that she is safe and offer her help.”