SHANNON MATTHEWS 9 - Dewsbury, Yorkshire (UK) - 19/02/08

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

SKY NEWS

1 March 2008

Newspaper offers 20K to find Shannon

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1307556,00.html

*Come on members we can do this, get posters up all over the place.



Shannon's mum Karen and her partner Craig Meehan

MERLYNSAM

BBC

Last Updated: Saturday, 1 March 2008, 04:22 GMT

Newspaper puts up Shannon reward

A £20,000 reward has been offered by a national newspaper in the search for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

The Sun is putting up the money and has printed posters urging readers to help in the search.

Shannon's mother and stepfather said: "Our message to people is never give up because we won't until we find her."

Her best friend, Megan Aldridge, made a TV appeal for her safe return. Shannon, nine, went missing in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on 19 February.

Detectives have said she "may have fallen into the wrong hands".

Wrong direction

Megan, also aged nine, was captured on CCTV footage walking home with Shannon on the afternoon she disappeared.

She said she last saw her friend as she headed away in the wrong direction to her home.

Megan told ITV News: "I'm really, really sad and if you know where she is just call and tell us where she is."

Earlier this week, volunteers distributed leaflets and posters as part of the search.

West Yorkshire Police said the incident room had received more than 500 calls

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7272284.stm

MERLYNSAM

The Times

01.03.08

By Andrew Norfolk

Poor little Shannon Matthews. Too poor for us to care that she is lost?

Her family may seem feckless. Neighbours can’t afford to run a PR campaign. How the public spotlight faded on missing girl

Sarah Payne, smiling in her school uniform; Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in their Manchester United shirts; Madeleine McCann, staring inquisitively with her distinctive bleeding iris . . .

The names and faces of these girls who have disappeared are etched into the public’s collective memory.

Camera crews camped out in their home towns for weeks or months. Donations totalled thousands — even millions — of pounds. Members of the public, many of them strangers, came in their hundreds to offer help and prayers for their safe return.

Yet the trauma and mystery surrounding the disappearance of one nine-year-old girl almost two weeks ago appeared to drift from public consciousness within days.

When Shannon Matthews vanished after leaving her primary school, there was an initial flurry of attention on the impoverished council estate in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, where she lived. West Yorkshire Police knew that they were dealing with a potential case of child abduction and threw unprecedented resources into their search. As the community pulled together, the satellite vans of the national media arrived on the hillside streets of Dewsbury Moor and for a few days Shannon’s name featured prominently on newspaper billboards.

But no longer. The search for a vanished innocent continues but Britain seems to have lost interest. This week the hunt appeared to have been classed as less newsworthy than the most minor developments in the search for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared nine months ago.

Is Shannon — a shy, timid, gentle girl — somehow deemed less worthy of our concern?

Dewsbury Moor is no Home Counties idyll, nor is it a Portuguese holiday resort. It is “up North”, it is a bleak mix of pebbledash council blocks and neglected wasteland, and it is populated by some people capable of confirming the worst stereotype and prejudice of the white underclass.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3463481.ece

MERLYNSAM

YORKSHIRE EVENING POST

01.03.08

By BY DAVID BRUCE

SEARCH FOR SHANNON: Specialist dogs brought in to search buildings

SPECIALIST body search dogs have been brought in to help police in their hunt for missing Dewsbury girl Shannon Matthews.
The dogs from Greater Manchester Police will help carry out a large number of searches of houses and other premises – alongside West Yorkshire's own tracker dogs.

The dogs from the Manchester force were actually trained by West Yorkshire officers, and now form a vital part of the massive search in the Dewsbury area.

It is now 11 days since nine-year-old Shannon disappeared following an after-school swimming lesson. The hunt for her, involving hundreds of police, has seen searches of premises throughout the area on a daily basis.

But there is still no clue to the youngster's whereabouts, in spite of a huge publicity campaign.

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http://tinyurl.com/27oj7c

MERLYNSAM

BBC

01.03.08

Mother's Day torment over Shannon

The mother of a missing schoolgirl has made an emotional plea for her daughter's return hours before the country celebrates Mother's Day.

Karen Matthews' daughter Shannon was last seen in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on 19 February. Extensive police searches have failed to find her.

In a statement Ms Matthews says: "I don't want cards or presents, I just want my darling daughter home safely."

A national paper has put up a £20,000 reward for her safe return.

'Special bond'

On Saturday Shannon's mother said: "Mother's Day is a day when every mum wants her children around them.

"Today I don't want cards or presents, I just want my darling daughter home safely.

"I know Shannon would normally have made me a Mother's Day card at school and we would have spent the day together.

"I have a special bond with Shannon and I feel sure that she is alive and will come home to her mum.

"If you or anyone knows where Shannon is, please think about my family this Mother's Day and bring my beautiful princess home where she belongs with her mum, dad, brothers and little sister."

Det Supt Andy Brennan, one of West Yorkshire's most senior detectives, said the search for the missing girl would continue unabated.

On Saturday morning The Sun said it was putting up the £20,000 reward and has printed posters urging readers to help in the search.

Shannon's mother and stepfather said: "Our message to people is never give up because we won't until we find her."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7272619.stm

MERLYNSAM

Sky News

Updated:13:22, Saturday March 01, 2008

Shannon: 'Come Home For Mother's Day'

The mother of missing nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has made an emotional plea for her daughter's safe return.

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http://tinyurl.com/388gqa

HEIDISTAR

merlynsam wrote:The Times

01.03.08

By Andrew Norfolk

Poor little Shannon Matthews. Too poor for us to care that she is lost?

Her family may seem feckless. Neighbours can’t afford to run a PR campaign. How the public spotlight faded on missing girl

Sarah Payne, smiling in her school uniform; Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in their Manchester United shirts; Madeleine McCann, staring inquisitively with her distinctive bleeding iris . . .

The names and faces of these girls who have disappeared are etched into the public’s collective memory.

Camera crews camped out in their home towns for weeks or months. Donations totalled thousands — even millions — of pounds. Members of the public, many of them strangers, came in their hundreds to offer help and prayers for their safe return.

Yet the trauma and mystery surrounding the disappearance of one nine-year-old girl almost two weeks ago appeared to drift from public consciousness within days.

When Shannon Matthews vanished after leaving her primary school, there was an initial flurry of attention on the impoverished council estate in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, where she lived. West Yorkshire Police knew that they were dealing with a potential case of child abduction and threw unprecedented resources into their search. As the community pulled together, the satellite vans of the national media arrived on the hillside streets of Dewsbury Moor and for a few days Shannon’s name featured prominently on newspaper billboards.

But no longer. The search for a vanished innocent continues but Britain seems to have lost interest. This week the hunt appeared to have been classed as less newsworthy than the most minor developments in the search for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared nine months ago.

Is Shannon — a shy, timid, gentle girl — somehow deemed less worthy of our concern?

Dewsbury Moor is no Home Counties idyll, nor is it a Portuguese holiday resort. It is “up North”, it is a bleak mix of pebbledash council blocks and neglected wasteland, and it is populated by some people capable of confirming the worst stereotype and prejudice of the white underclass.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3463481.ece

Ooh this annoys me! It's not that the public don't care, it's that the newspapers and tv aren't telling us anything about Shannon!

TASMIN

Full story so far from West Yorkshire Police.


West Yorkshire Police

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Appeal: Missing 9 Year Old Girl - Shannon Matthews

http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=12&iid=4624

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

I can't explain why I find this case so distressing.Probably just don't want this to happen to any family. Anyone anywhere near Yorkshire? Are the public being asked to help in search teams or not? It must be so awful and Mother's Day tomorrow. Surely something good can be done and she can be found. Thanks for all the info on this thread, very informative.

MERLYNSAM

REUTERS

Sat Mar 1, 2008 5:40pm GMT

By Peter Griffiths

Mother's Day appeal to find missing girl

LONDON (Reuters) - The mother of missing Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has made an emotional appeal for her daughter's return on the eve of Mother's Day.

"Mother's Day is a day when every mum wants her children around them," said Karen Matthews, 32. "I don't want cards or presents, I just want my darling daughter home safely.

"I know Shannon would normally have made me a Mother's Day card at school and we would have spent the day together.

"I have a special bond with Shannon and I feel sure that she is alive and will come home to her mum.

"If you or anyone knows where Shannon is, please think about my family this Mother's Day and bring my beautiful princess home."

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http://tinyurl.com/ytul3j

MERLYNSAM

pam supportfromireland wrote:I can't explain why I find this case so distressing.Probably just don't want this to happen to any family. Anyone anywhere near Yorkshire? Are the public being asked to help in search teams or not? It must be so awful and Mother's Day tomorrow. Surely something good can be done and she can be found. Thanks for all the info on this thread, very informative.

Pam, at the moment, the police don't want search volunteers. I have been asked to phone back tomorrow to see about Monday.

To search the moors takes special coordination - a number of volunteers have to search but keep a specified distance apart (otherwise the WHOLE of an area is not classed as being adequately searched).

The dog and I will go willingly if they need extra help. I also think I have one other person who will go with me as well if we are called upon. If I am not on-line on Monday - you know where I am!

I'll keep you posted!

SMOKIE

Merly I will be thinking of you tomorrow, if you do decide to go. I also hope young Shannon is found before then.

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

merlynsam wrote:

pam supportfromireland wrote:I can't explain why I find this case so distressing.Probably just don't want this to happen to any family. Anyone anywhere near Yorkshire? Are the public being asked to help in search teams or not? It must be so awful and Mother's Day tomorrow. Surely something good can be done and she can be found. Thanks for all the info on this thread, very informative.

Pam, at the moment, the police don't want search volunteers. I have been asked to phone back tomorrow to see about Monday.

To search the moors takes special coordination - a number of volunteers have to search but keep a specified distance apart (otherwise the WHOLE of an area is not classed as being adequately searched).

The dog and I will go willingly if they need extra help. I also think I have one other person who will go with me as well if we are called upon. If I am not on-line on Monday - you know where I am!

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks Merly. I guessed you would get back to me. Very good and perhaps more members could get involved if near area and permitted to do so. Good Luck!!

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Everyone take a few moments and look at Shannon's face today. Take in her features and keep a look out, aswell as putting up posters in your area, especially if in or near Yorkshire. Thank you. People power can help.

SMOKIE

SKY NEWS

03/03/08

PARENTS APPEAL PLEASE LET SHANNON GO

http://news.sky.com/skynews/home

SKY NEWS

Tuesday March 04, 2008
Updated:12:37

Missing Shannon: Police Have Her Prints.

Police searching for Shannon Matthews have a full set of fingerprints and a DNA profile of the missing schoolgirl.

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http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1307829,00.html

SKY NEWS

Tuesday March 04, 2008
Updated:17:43


'I Hope Shannon Comes Home Soon'

Shannon Matthews stepfather has spoken exlusively to Sky News about how the family is being torn apart by the schoolgirl's disappearance.

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http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1307829,00.html

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Yorkshire Evening Post

26 February 2008

SEARCH FO SHANNON: It's important to talk about your grief, family urged

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/SEARCH-FOR-SHANNON-It39s-important.3814858.jp

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND


Another picture of Shannon.

Scroll down to end of page.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article868530.ece

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND


Photo Gallery of Mother, Father & School Principal of Shannon.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=3839748&SectionID=700

SKY NEWS

Wednesday March 05, 2008
Updated:13:15

Missing Shannon: Mother's 999 Call

Police hunting for the missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have released a recording of the 999 call in which her upset mother reports the nine-year-old has not come home.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1308095,00.html

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EWE 2

The Sun

Wed 5th March

Shannon circled by sex beasts

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article877972.ece

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Yorkshire Evening Post

6 March 2008

SEARCH FOR SHANNON: JCB brought in to search wasteland

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/SEARCH-FOR-SHANNON-JCB-brought.3849667.jp

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Yorkshire Evening Post

6 March 2008

SEARCH FOR SHANNON: Relatives turn to psychics to help find Shannon

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/SEARCH-FOR-SHANNON-Relatives-turn.3849374.jp

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Times Online

7 March 2008

Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews defends her partner on tv

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3496676.ece