Three schoolgirls have fled the UK in a suspected bid to travel to Syria and join ISIS.
Shamima Begum, 15,
Kadiza Sultana, 16, and an un-named 15-year-old, all from east London, flew to Istanbul, in Turkey, from Gatwick airport on Tuesday without leaving any messages behind for family or friends. Scotland Yard detectives urgently appealed for information about the missing girls, who all go to the
Bethnal Green Academy school and were described as 'straight-A students'.
Commander Richard Walton, head of the Metropolitan Police's counter terror command, said the runaways are good friends with another 15-year-old girl who fled to Syria in December. He said the force was becoming 'increasing concerned' about a growing trend of young girls showing an interest or intent in joining IS, an organisation now notorious for its barbaric treatment of hostages and oppression of women.
But Mr Walton added the teenagers' families were 'devastated' but there was a 'good chance' the girls were still in Turkey. The youngsters, who police fear may be heading to join terror group Islamic State, are all pupils at the same school and are close friends, police said.
They were last seen at their homes on Tuesday morning when they gave their families 'plausible reasons' to be out for the day. They were reported missing later that day and on Wednesday morning.
Mr Walton said:
'We are extremely concerned for the safety of these young girls and would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to police. Our priority is the safe return of these girls to their families.
'We are reaching out to the girls using the Turkish media and social media in the hope that Shamima, Kadiza and their friend hear our messages, hear our concerns for their safety and have the courage to return now, back to their families who are so worried about them.'
Culled from: DailyMail UK
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