Police have vowed never to give up the search for a 14-year-old girl who went missing in 2003, and say there is a £100,000 reward on offer to anyone with information that may lead to a prosecution.
Blackpool teenager, Charlene Downes, disappeared 17 years ago and has not been seen since – on Friday detectives involved in the case vowed never to give up in the search for the truth as to what happened to her.
Charlene went missing on the night of Saturday November 1 2003.
She was 14-years-old, a child and she was very vulnerable.
Police say since that day, they have never given up trying to find who was responsible for taking her.
On the night in question, Charlene had been with a young female friend.
She was last seen at the top of an alleyway in Abingdon Street, Blackpool at around 10.30pm.
Detectives know that a white male chef, who was working and living in that alleyway, recognised Charlene on the evening she disappeared, saying that he saw her there, alone.
She has not been seen since.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Webster who has been leading the case for the last seven years said: “We have never given up trying to work out Charlene’s last movements from when she was last seen in alley off Abingdon Street.
"People are older now, 17 years on and we are still asking whether anyone can tell us about who Charlene used to hang about with, where she used to go, or places she would visit.
“I still believe that there are people who know more about what happened to Charlene in 2003.
"They might have been struggling to tell us what they have known for years.
"I am not naïve, I know that for some people it is never easy to talk to the police, but they may just have something very important to tell us.
“No matter how little you think the information you have is, please share it with us.
"It may be a piece of the jigsaw that we are missing; by coming forward and telling us what you know can only help us.
"You may hold information that is crucial to finding out what happened to Charlene.
“So I appeal to anyone who was a visitor to the alleyway around November 2003, for whatever purpose, to contact us.
"This alleyway is entered from Abingdon Street and services the rear of business premises on Talbot Road and Clifton Street.”
The investigation is one of the largest and longest running in the history of Lancashire Constabulary.
A reward of £100,000 remains on offer for anyone with information that leads to the prosecution of her killer or assists in the recovery of Charlene.
In August 2017, 14 years after she disappeared, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Blackpool teenager.
To this day he remains under investigation pending further enquiries.
Det Ch Spt Andy Webster added: "More survivors of historical sexual abuse have been identified as a result of this wide-ranging investigation and Lancashire Police will continue to act on any new information that comes to light.
"Despite the passage of time, I would also ask anyone who is a survivor of child sexual abuse to come forward and contact us."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 01253 607370, via email below or call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.
Alternatively they can email: charlenedownesinvestigation@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here