Police launch hunt to find girl, six, missing from home

Police have launched an appeal to find a six-year-old girl who went missing on Sunday.

The girl, named only as Aaich, went missing from her home in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Sunday afternoon, police said.

West Midlands Police said she left home around 4pm, sparking concerns.

The force said officers were out searching for the schoolgirl, but appealed for help from the public in finding her.

It said Aaich had left home at around 4pm and was wearing a long purple coat and pink dress, black Adidas trainers with red stripes, and a black hijab.

She was described as "tall for her age" and carrying a red bag.

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West Midlands Police shared a series of images on their Twitter account as part of the appeal, including pictures of Aaich herself and one of the bag she was carrying.

It later shared CCTV footage showing her buying chocolate at around 4pm at Akash supermarket on Messenger Road close to her home.

In its tweets, the force wrote: "#MISSING | Can you help us find Aaich, aged six, who's gone missing from home in #Smethwick this afternoon?

"She left home at around 4pm and we're worried about her. Aaich was wearing a long purple coat & pink dress, black Adidas trainers with red stripes, and a black hijab.

"We've now got a photo of the bag that Aaich may have with her. We've got lots of officers out looking for her at the moment, but we still really need your help."

It added: "We've just had this CCTV footage showing Aaich at Akash supermarket on Messenger Road, very close to her home. It shows her picking up some chocolate at around 4pm today.

"Please check gardens and any outbuildings for Aaich. We really need your help. Please share."