Serena Alexander-Benson: Missing Wimbledon girl, 13, believed to be in Poland after travelling with mother's friend

The 13 year-old girl who went missing on her way to school is believed to be in Poland where her mother lives, police have said.

Serena Alexander-Benson took a Eurotunnel train from Folkestone after leaving her home in Wimbledon on Friday morning.

Police said they had established she was travelling in a car with a female friend of her mother.

"At this stage, the priority of officers is to confirm Serena's exact whereabouts and confirm that she is safe," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

"Any potential offences will be considered in due course."

The woman who travelled with Serena is a Polish national who lives in London, according to police.

Serena was last seen by her father at about 7.50am on 25 May.

She said she was going to school but never arrived.

Her father reported her missing and detectives appealed for help from the public.

Police said she was wearing a green blazer and uniform with her dark brown hair tied up.

Officers from Wandsworth CID are investigating Serena's disappearance with the help of the National Crime Agency and the Polish authorities.

The Metropolitan Police said it was not releasing further details of the route taken by Serena and her mother's friend or how it has been established they are in Poland.