Playmates plea over missing Daniel

DETECTIVES were last night checking reports that seven-year-old Daniel Entwistle, missing since last Saturday, was playing with other children an hour before he vanished.

The officer leading the search for Daniel said any child who knew anything about the youngster's disappearance should not be afraid to tell someone.

Police say Daniel left his home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, at about 5pm on Saturday May 3, saying he was going to visit a friend.

A bike, believed to belong to the youngster, was found less than a mile away next to the raised bank of the tidal river Yare.

Security camera footage at a nearby petrol station also captured a child on a bike who police believe to be Daniel.

Pensioner Joe Zugor, who lives near the river, said he saw Daniel playing with other boys at the spot where the bicycle was found at lunchtime on Saturday.

Mr Zugor said he also saw Daniel with other children opposite his home at 4pm on Saturday.

"I saw him playing down there with some other boys at around dinnertime on Saturday," said Mr Zugor.

"Then I saw him again playing with other kids opposite my house at about four o'clock. They cycled off suddenly and I didn't see them again.

"Kids are playing down there by the river all the time. They play on the wall.

"I've told them to be careful but they don't listen. I've been worrying for ages that one will fall in.

"I knew the little boy. You would see him around a lot. He was often with older boys. He was a nice little kid.'

Det Supt Julian Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said police were examining the possibility that Daniel was with other children.

"We have certainly been looking at Daniel's peer group,' said Mr Gregory.

"That's a line of inquiry we have been following. When dealing with young children, we have to be very, very certain about the accuracy of what they are saying because they can get mixed up.

"It's a very delicate business and it's time-consuming as well.'

He added: "If someone's child does say something to them then they should let us know. We know that Daniel spent a lot of time playing on his own.

"The indications are that he was playing on his own but we can't rule out the fact that he may have been with other children.

"What we would say is if someone saw something happen they are not going to get into trouble with us for telling us what they saw.

"It's quite difficult to say how children react to things and what they will think.

"What we would say is if a child has seen something they shouldn't have any fear about coming forward through the parents and telling us.'

Police search teams yesterday checked coastline in the area and industrial buildings on the river side.

But Mr Gregory said that Daniel's parents, David, 41, and Paula, 30, were aware that Daniel may not be found safe and well.

"We must be realistic the longer this goes on. We are beginning to reach a stage where we think we may not find Daniel safe and well - but there is still a chance.'