A frantic search has been launched after a 13-year-old girl vanished from a UK seaside town, with police urgently appealing for public help to locate the missing teenager.
Lottie Brown, from Netherton, Liverpool, hasn’t been seen since 4pm yesterday when she disappeared from the Louis Pasteur Avenue area of Bootle. Concern has been raised for the missing schoolgirl’s welfare as extensive searches continue throughout the Merseyside coastal region.
Merseyside Police have mobilised significant resources in their efforts to bring Lottie home safe and well, with officers conducting door-to-door enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage from the area where she was last spotted.
Description of Missing Teenager
The missing teenager is described as 5ft 10in tall, of slim build with mid-length blonde hair and brown eyes. Lottie was last seen wearing green leggings, a blue puffer jacket and black trainers when she disappeared from the Bootle area on Friday afternoon.
Police have emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that Lottie has been known to frequent both the Bootle and Seaforth areas. Officers are particularly focusing their search efforts on these coastal locations, which are popular with local teenagers.
We are appealing for help to find missing 13-year-old Lottie Brown from Netherton,” a Merseyside Police spokesperson said. “Lottie was last seen at around 4pm yesterday, Friday 5 September, in the area of Louis Pasteur Avenue, and extensive enquiries are ongoing to find her.”
Police Appeal for Urgent Public Assistance
Cops raised the alarm after Lottie’s disappearance was reported to them, immediately launching a comprehensive missing person investigation. The force has since asked for the public’s help in locating the missing schoolgirl, stressing that anyone who spots her should contact police as a matter of urgency.
Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Lottie in the hours following her disappearance, or who might have information about her current whereabouts. The teenager’s unusual height for her age – at 5ft 10in – makes her relatively distinctive and easier to spot among crowds.
Merseyside Police have activated standard missing person protocols, which include alerting neighbouring forces, checking transport hubs, and liaising with local schools and youth services.
Community Mobilises Search Efforts
The local community has rallied to support the search for Lottie, with residents in Netherton, Bootle and Seaforth sharing appeals across social media platforms. Local Facebook groups have been flooded with posts sharing Lottie’s description and the police appeal.
The timing of the disappearance, occurring as schools return from summer holidays, has heightened concerns among parents and educators in the area. Several local schools have agreed to share the appeal with students and parents through their communication channels.
Members of the public have been conducting informal searches of local parks, shopping centres and other areas popular with teenagers, whilst being careful not to interfere with official police operations.
Focus on Coastal Areas
The search has particularly concentrated on the Seaforth and Bootle coastal areas, where Lottie is known to have spent time previously. These seaside locations, popular with young people especially during warmer weather, are being thoroughly searched by police teams.
Louis Pasteur Avenue, where Lottie was last seen, is a residential area in Bootle located relatively close to the coast. The proximity to the Liverpool waterfront and various transport links has expanded the potential search area considerably.
Police marine units have been placed on alert, though there is currently no specific information suggesting Lottie may have entered the water. The precaution is standard procedure when searching for missing persons in coastal areas.
Background and Context
Netherton, where Lottie lives, is a district of Liverpool located approximately three miles from Bootle. The area has good transport links via bus and train services, which police are checking as part of their investigation.
The disappearance comes at a time when concerns about missing children remain high across Merseyside. The region has robust protocols in place for missing person cases, with specialised teams trained in locating vulnerable young people.
Merseyside Police work closely with charity Catch22, which provides support services for young people who go missing from home. The organisation conducts return home interviews with missing children once found, helping to identify reasons for disappearances and prevent future incidents.
Expert Concerns About Missing Teenagers
Child safety experts note that teenagers who go missing often do so for complex reasons, ranging from family difficulties to peer pressure or mental health concerns. The critical first 72 hours are considered vital in missing person cases involving children.
When teenagers go missing, time is of the essence,” explains a source familiar with missing person protocols. “The longer they remain missing, the greater the risk of harm or exploitation.”
Statistics show that whilst most missing children are found safe within 48 hours, rapid response and public awareness significantly improve outcomes. The distinctive description of Lottie – particularly her height and the specific clothing she was wearing – should aid identification efforts.
How the Public Can Help
Anyone who sees Lottie or has information about her whereabouts has been urged to contact Merseyside Police immediately. The force has emphasised that no piece of information is too small and could prove crucial in locating the missing teenager.
Members of the public should call 999 if they see Lottie, or 101 with any other information that might assist the investigation. Information can also be provided via Merseyside Police‘s social media channels on X (formerly Twitter) @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website. The charity guarantees anonymity to all callers and has helped solve numerous missing person cases.
Ongoing Investigation
As night falls, the search for Lottie continues with increased urgency. Police have not released information about the circumstances of her disappearance or whether she left of her own accord, maintaining focus on the immediate priority of finding her safe.
Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from the Louis Pasteur Avenue area and surrounding streets, looking for any sign of Lottie’s movements after 4pm yesterday. Local businesses have been asked to check their security cameras for any relevant footage.
The investigation team is also examining Lottie’s digital footprint, including social media accounts and mobile phone data, though details of these enquiries remain confidential.
Message to Lottie
Police have also issued a direct appeal to Lottie herself, urging her to make contact if she sees the coverage. Lottie, if you see this appeal, please get in touch with police or your family to let them know you’re safe,” the spokesperson said.
“You’re not in any trouble – everyone just wants to know you’re okay and to help you get home safely.”
The appeal emphasises that Lottie can approach any police officer, call 999, or go to any safe place such as a shop, school or public building to ask for help.
Latest Developments
As this story develops, Merseyside Police have confirmed that specialist search teams remain active throughout the night. The force has requested that members of the public do not organise independent search parties that might inadvertently hamper official efforts.
Anyone living in the Louis Pasteur Avenue area or nearby streets has been asked to check gardens, sheds, and outbuildings in case Lottie has sought shelter. Residents with doorbell cameras or security systems are urged to review footage from Friday afternoon onwards.
The disappearance has prompted renewed calls for parents to discuss safety plans with their children, including what to do if they become separated or find themselves in difficulty.
This is a developing story with updates expected as the search continues. The priority remains locating Lottie Brown safe and well and reuniting her with her family.
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