A WOMAN whose young daughter went missing for an evening wishes to thank neighbours who joined the search.
Lauren, 25, whose surname has been withheld, went into a blind panic after her seven-year-old daughter, Sophie, left the family home in Grosvenor Avenue, Hayes, on her own and unnoticed, at about 8pm on Monday last week.
When Lauren realised, she called police and they conducted a search of the family home, to no avail.
An announcement was made at the nearby Brook House pub, in Kingshill Avenue, and neighbours rallied around and set off in their cars while police called for a helicopter to patrol the skies and support officers on the ground scouring the streets for the schoolgirl.
“It was horrible. I was in hysterics,” said Lauren, who has two other daughters.
“You hear stories about children going missing, and I just asked police to make sure they found her.”
Happily, Sophie was found about three hours later, having walked to her grandmother’s house in Southall.
Lauren spoke of her elation when she was told, and has thanked everyone who pulled together to track down her little girl.
“I want to thank everyone who helped for taking time out of their evening, after a day’s work, to go and look for her. I am really appreciative, but haven’t been able to thank everyone individually.
“She just snuck out of the house and went for a little walk.
“I was just so relieved to have her back. The police officers gave her a good talking to, and hopefully she has learned her lesson.
“I nearly died of fright,” said the relieved mother.
