New site searched in hunt for missing Kayleigh, 15

Updated

Detectives searching for missing teenager Kayleigh Haywood have widened their inquiry to an area of agricultural land 10 miles away from her home.

Leicestershire Police confirmed that a large-scale operation near the village of Belton was connected to the inquiry to locate the 15-year-old, who disappeared after being dropped off in Ibstock on Friday.

Meanwhile, further searches are continuing at the Sence Valley Forest Park in Ibstock, where a mobile phone thought to belong to Kayleigh was found.

The inquiries near Belton saw around 20 police officers, some using rakes, scouring fields and a smaller enclosed plot of land near a lay-by.

A sniffer dog was also deployed to the cordoned off area and officers could be seen searching close to bales of hay and a line of trees.

Kayleigh's parents, Stephanie Haywood and Martin Whitby, have appealed for anyone with information about their daughter's whereabouts to contact the police.

Meanwhile, officers are continuing to question two men - aged 27 and 28 - who were arrested in the early hours of Monday in connection with the inquiry.

The head of crime at Leicestershire Police, Detective Chief Superintendent David Sandall, has said Kayleigh, from Measham, is believed to have been at Sence Valley Forest Park on Saturday.

The officer said: "The longer Kayleigh is missing, the more concerned we are becoming for her safety.

"I would like to thank local residents for all their support so far.

"We have trained officers conducting searches and while I appreciate the public want to help, it is imperative that these are done by our specialist officers.

"However, residents can help by checking their gardens and outbuildings and getting in touch with us if they find anything which could be of significance."

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