Detectives are 'in no way' scaling back the search for missing April Jones

Detectives said that they have "in no way" scaled down the search for missing April Jones.

April was last seen by another child getting into a van at around 7pm on Monday night from Bryn y Gog estate in Machynlleth, mid Wales.

Since their last appeal for help in tracing the five-year-old, Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan said police had received more than 400 calls from the public.

Mr Bevan said the force is focusing on 20 locations including outbuildings, houses and river banks in the area.

Mark Bridger, 46, who was arrested on suspicion of abduction on Tuesday, has been questioned twice and officers say they are looking into his past to build up a profile.

Mr Bevan said: "While these are clearly a significant line of inquiry, I must emphasise that there are many other leads that we are actively pursuing in an effort to find April."

Mr Bevan said police are trying to establish Mr Bridger's movements between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon, and that of his vehicle.

"Clearly, our focus in those interviews, as it is in this whole inquiry, is to find April. That is primarily what we’ve been discussing with him.

“What I don’t want to do is compromise the investigation or any chance of finding April, so unfortunately I can’t divulge exactly what he’s told us so far.”

Superintendent Ian John said the search for April was growing "at quite a pace”.

“The search operation continues to grow. We have officers deployed from throughout the country.

The force has 100 mountain rescue volunteers, police-trained search officers, 20 dog handlers two RNLI vessels, a team of kayakers and the force’s marine unit taking part in the search.

Mr John said: "As my colleague explained there are a large number of sites.

"They are very varied and require a considerable amount of planning to ensure that we achieve the most effective outcome.

"Intelligence is developing fast and this helps to drive the search priorities which are constantly under review.

"The geography is very challenging and everyone is working in a hostile environment, by that I mean the terrain if difficult, waterlogged, working near to flooded rivers with the potential for mine shafts and unstable ground.

"There is a variety of building sand open area searches which require flexibility and systematic method to the operation.

"The number of officers we have deployed will increase, particularly the use of specialist officers from around the UK. This is a growing operation and in no way are we scaling back this search. We remain completely focused on finding April."

Three experts have also been drafted in to assist police.

April's mother made an emotional appeal for help at a press conference earlier this afternoon.

Coral Jones, who was accompanied by her stepfather Dai Smith, said: "It has been 36 hours since our April was taken from us.

"There must be someone out there who knows where she is and can help the police find her.

"We are desperate for any news. April is only five years old.

"Please, please help us find her."

Police are urging anyone with information to call police on 101 or the the Child Rescue Alert helpline on 0300 2000 333.

• UPDATE Day 3: Search continues for missing girl April Jones feared abducted