## Police Appeal for Public’s Help in Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl from Cardiff
South Wales Police have issued an urgent appeal for information as concern grows for the welfare of a 13-year-old girl who has gone missing from Cardiff. The child, identified as Jemimah, was last seen on Thursday evening, but her whereabouts are currently unknown.
Authorities have released an image of Jemimah in hopes that members of the public may recognise her and come forward with any information that could assist with the search. Police state that Jemimah was last sighted at approximately 8.50pm on Thursday, 31 July. Since then, there have been no confirmed sightings and her disappearance has been described by police as “cause for concern”.
Detectives are urging anyone who knows where Jemimah might be or who has seen her since Thursday night to contact them without delay. Members of the public are encouraged to phone 101 or utilise the force’s online reporting system, quoting incident reference number 2500244593.
In a statement issued earlier today, South Wales Police said, “We are appealing for assistance in locating Jemimah, 13, from Cardiff. There are increasing concerns for her safety, and we are keen to ensure she is found and safe. If you have any details which could help, please make contact using the provided reference number.”
This case highlights the broader challenge facing police in the region, with the force revealing that it fields more than 8,000 missing persons reports every year. The complexity of these incidents requires significant time, personnel, and resources, as the definition of a missing person encompasses anyone whose location cannot be established and whose wellbeing has not yet been confirmed.
Speaking further about the procedure, South Wales Police offered insight into the process: “Even if the individual in question does not themselves believe they are missing, until they have been located and confirmed as safe by officers, they will continue to be treated as a missing person.” The frequency and potential severity of these cases make it crucial for the public to remain vigilant and responsive to appeals.
While community support is invaluable, police have underlined the importance of not conducting independent searches. Authorities emphasise that all official search efforts are managed by specialists with specific training and equipment, ensuring that operations are thorough and intelligence-led. They ask that anyone who believes they may be able to help, either by reporting possible sightings or providing relevant details, do so directly through police channels rather than launching their own searches.
A statement from the force asked for understanding, saying, “We appreciate the public’s concern and willingness to help, but for the safety of all involved and to maximise effectiveness, please leave the search to our trained teams.” This approach, the police explained, enables an organised, evidence-based effort to reunite missing persons with their families and to provide them with any support they may need.
Cases involving missing children naturally attract widespread attention and can be distressing for families and communities alike. The disappearance of a child, especially one so young, underlines the importance of coordinated action between law enforcement and the community. Police have said they will continue to update the public as the search progresses and thanked everyone for their assistance so far.
As the search for Jemimah continues, anyone with information is once again asked to use the phone number or web portal provided by South Wales Police, remembering to quote reference 2500244593. The well-being of the teenager remains the priority as officers pursue every avenue to reunite her with her family.