Shropshire Star

Extra help as April Jones search bill hits £2.4m

Police searching for missing April Jones say they will not give up looking despite the cost spiralling to £2.4 million.

Published

The Home Office has said it has agreed to increase the amount given to aid the search, which has been going on since the five-year-old was taken from outside her home in Bryn y Gog, Machynlleth, at 7pm on October 1.

It has agreed to help fund the search operation, which police say is vital to help with the court case next year.

Mark Bridger, 46, is charged with April's murder, child abduction and perverting the course of justice. He will appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on January 11.

Superintendent Ian John, of Dyfed Powys Police, said teams would continue to look in the New Year after the search is scaled down during Christmas week.

He said: "Volunteers from a number of mountain rescue teams have walked for miles over the mountain sides, all working together looking for clues and evidence that may help us find April.

"We will keep looking until we are satisfied that we have exhausted all lines of inquiry. We are not putting an end date on the operation, and we are not willing to speculate how much longer it will last, but we will say that we are committed to stay here until we can be sure that there are no more viable places to look for April's body.

"The Jones family have shown great strength of character throughout their ordeal as they have come to terms with the fact that they will not see their daughter alive again. Showing great dignity and resilience, they chose to maintain their privacy and chose to focus on their family and making sure they get through these tough times together.

"The community were rocked by April's disappearance and they quickly rallied to support Coral and Paul, April's parents.

"Officers have been out in the community speaking with people and reassuring them that even though the visible police presence in the town has dissipated, the search operation continues.

"All of this work will continue in the New Year, it is by no means over. The dedication and commitment from officers and staff involved in all aspects of this operation make me proud to say I work for Dyfed Powys Police."

By Andrew Morris

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