Isabella Hayward, known as Bella, was last seen when she left her home in Leeds to walk the family cockapoo, Cooper – police have urged anyone with information to come forward
Police have launched an urgent search for a 14-year-old girl who disappeared after taking the family dog for a walk.
West Yorkshire Police said Isabella Hayward, known as Bella, was last seen at about 12.30pm yesterday when she left her home in the Allerton Bywater area of Leeds to walk the family cockapoo, named Cooper. It is thought she may have entered the St Aidan’s nature reserve. Officers continued to search the area on Saturday. A statement from West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are continuing to appeal for information to help trace a 14-year-old girl who has gone missing from home in Leeds.
“Isabella Hayward, known as Bella, was last seen at about 12.30pm yesterday when she left her home in Allerton Bywater to walk the family cockapoo Cooper, possibly at the nearby St Aidan’s nature reserve.
“She was reported missing after she failed to return home later that afternoon. The dog is also still missing.
“Isabella is described as wearing a stone-coloured White Fox top and black leggings. Cooper is a sandy coloured cockapoo with a black lead and a blue collar.
Missing people are falling through the gaps, experiencing serious harm while they are away, with little or no support to help address the reasons why they left. They need help, so they don’t go missing again.
A dedicated strategy led by the Home Office, Department for Education, and Department for Health and Social Care would provide the proper attention and resources.
Without this, thousands will continue to go missing without support. and, when they return, there will be no meaningful opportunity to speak to anyone about why they left, or what happened while they were away. This leaves vulnerable people, who are often in crisis, with no support.
Life is never hopeless. Everyone should know that someone cares, and that help is available from organisations such as the charity Missing People.
The Mirror is calling for:
• The publication of a new missing children and adults strategy to ensure police, health and social care play their part
• Investment in prevention for those at most risk of going missing
• Support to be offered to every missing child and adult on their return
You can help by signing our petition here.
“Officers are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries and searches of the area to find her.”
Police have asked anyone who has seen Isabella or could have any information would help to locate her is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log 1716 of April 18 or online via the West Yorkshire Police website.
Over 170,000 people reported missing in the UK every year.
Around 96,000 of this number are adults, and nearly 75,000 are children.
According to the National Crime Agency, the majority of those who go missing are found within two days.
• The Mirror is using its platform to launch Missed – a campaign to shine a light on underrepresented public-facing missing persons in the UK via a live interactive map, in collaboration with Missing People Charity. Because every missing person, no matter their background or circumstances, is someone’s loved one. And they are always Missed.
