Police release new CCTV thirteen years on from the disappearance of Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes
The mum of missing Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes says she's praying new footage released of her daughter could finally shed some light on the mystery - 13 years on since she vanished without a trace.
The mum of missing Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes says she's praying new footage released of her daughter could finally shed some light on the mystery - 13 years on since she vanished without a trace.
The CCTV, which have been released for the first time, show Charlene with her sister Rebecca on Bank Hey Street in Blackpool town centre at 3.25pm on the afternoon of Saturday, November 1st 2003.
The pair are walking towards the Coral Island amusement arcade.
Shortly after these images were captured Charlene returned home but then went back out into Blackpool town centre later that evening and from there she disappeared.
The clothes she is wearing in this footage are the same as when she vanished.
Charlene was just 14 years old when she was last seen. Thirteen years on and police remain determined to finding her killer or killers.
Despite a lengthy and complex investigation, numerous media appeals and a £100,000 reward on offer for information leading to the conviction of her killer or killers or the recovery of Charlene’s body, nobody has ever been brought to justice.
A team of detectives continue to work on the case and the new footage has been uncovered following a review of the CCTV. The investigation is one of the constabulary’s largest and longest running inquiries and is examining both the disappearance and murder and the wider issue of child sexual exploitation in Blackpool. So far the inquiry has generated more than 12,000 police actions or lines of inquiry and officers have taken more than 5,380 witness statements.
WATCH: Charlene's mum Karen tells Rock FM that even after all this time, she still hasn't given up hope and prays that the CCTV might persuade someone to come forward to give information:
A £100,000 reward for information – put up by Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner – remains in place as detectives continue to probe the case. Detective Superintendent Andy Webster, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “It has been thirteen years since Charlene disappeared but we are as determined as ever to find her killer or killers.
“Hopefully these pictures of Charlene on the day she disappeared will help jog someone’s memory and I would urge anyone with information, however insignificant they feel it may be, to come and speak to us.
“I have always been convinced that there are people who know what happened to Charlene but have not yet come forward to speak to the police. You may have been present when she was murdered or may simply have information about how she was killed and what happened to her body. For whatever reasons, you may have chosen not to speak out previously, and I can understand that, but as we seek to find out what happened your information could be vital to take the case forward. “If anyone is reluctant to speak to us for fear of reprisals I would reassure them that every measure is taken to ensure their safety. Also, if you are afraid you could incriminate yourself, let me reassure you that our main objective is to find Charlene’s killer or killers. We have a team of detectives and staff dedicated solely to this investigation
“As part of our inquiries we are also focussing on the wider issue of child sexual exploitation in Blackpool at around the time of Charlene’s disappearance and we have identified a number of people who could potentially be victims and offenders and we will be seeking to make arrests and to prosecute abusers in the near future.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have been a victim of abuse to come forward and contact us. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse we are here to help and support you as well as to bring offenders to justice.”
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, added: “For thirteen years Charlene's family have had to endure not knowing what has happened to her but I remain committed to doing what I can in supporting Lancashire Constabulary to secure justice for them and Charlene.