The neighbours of a missing six-year-old girl who was seen ‘heading towards the River Thames’ alone in her pyjamas have spoken of their relief after she was found safe and well.
The youngster identified as Eudine was reunited with her mother — also called Eudine — and her older brother at their home on the Thamesmead estate in southeast London today.
It comes following an overnight search by police who said they were ‘extremely concerned’ for the girl’s safety after she was reported missing at 10.40pm last night.
Little Eudine was captured on CCTV at around midday yesterday playing alone in Defence Close, Thamesmead, just down the path from the river.
Police have refused to disclose any details about her disappearance.
Six uniformed officers remained outside the family’s terraced home today, which is yards from the River Thames.
The road where Eudine lives remained sealed off with police tape.
Volunteers seen walking through Thamesmead early this morning as part of the search for Eudine before she was found safe and well
Police tape stretches across the road at Defence Close in Thamesmead this morning while the search for Eudine continued. She has now been found safe and well
Neighbours said the girl’s mother suffers from a disability and uses a mobility scooter to get around the sprawling estate.
They expressed surprise that Eudine was only reported missing at 10.40pm having earlier been captured on a ring doorbell CCTV playing alone near her home.
One neighbour said: ‘We are all very pleased she has been found, but bit puzzled why the alarm wasn’t raised until late at night. Perhaps she thought she was with friends’
Eudine was captured on a ring doorbell around noon wearing pink pyjamas and carrying a white bag.
The neighbour who gave police the footage from her doorbell camera said there were fears the youngster had fallen in the river.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘The police were knocking on all the doors about 12pm. They went through all the footage from my doorbell and found CCTV of her around noon.
‘She was seen heading towards the river. I think that was the big worry. The police were here until 3am, and there was a helicopter flying all around.
‘Like others I’m just glad she has been found. I don’t know the family, but have seen the girl from time to time.’
A Met Police spokesman said: ‘We are pleased to confirm that Eudine, six, who was reported missing from Thamesmead yesterday has been found safe and well.’
The spokesman said they would be making no further comment.
