GROWING CONCERNS FOR SOPHIE

Sophie Anderson had been in the care of social services since her birth and lived with foster parents in the Banbridge council area for much of that time.

Detective Inspector Stephen Wright appealed for Lucy Anderson and Stuart Creaney to return their daughter Sophie to carers after she was picked up at the social services centre in Scarva Street and taken on a ferry to Stranraer on Monday morning.

Thirty-year-old Lucy had been due to attend a playgroup at the Independent Methodist Church with Sophie but police were alerted when the pair failed to turn up.

In an appeal from police and social services at Banbridge police station today Sophie's parents were urged to get in contact and return their daughter to her carers.

DI Wright said, "Police are seriously concerned for the safety of 17-month-old Sophie Anderson.

"We would appeal for Stuart or Lucy to come forward to return Sophie to carers."

Police said that although they don't believe Sophie is in danger of physical harm, her mother Lucy and father 22-year-old Stuart do not have "adequate skills" to look after their daughter.

Bryan Dornan, Director of Children's Services in the Southern Trust, said relations with Sophie's parents had been good up until now, with both parents having regular access to their daughter in recent times.

"We have had a good working relationship with Lucy and Stuart," he said. "Sophie's parents have made a poor decision. This issue does not involve deliberate harm."

There were a number of unconfirmed sightings of Sophie and her parents in Stranraer town on Monday afternoon. It is believed Lucy Anderson travelled with Sophie under a different surname from Belfast to Stranraer on the 11.45am ferry that day, while Stuart boarded the 7.30am crossing earlier that morning.

Sophie is described as having dark, wavy hair and was wearing a cream John Rocha top with rusty coloured flowers, cream jeans with pink flowers and pink Doodles shoes. She may also have been wearing a yellow coat and was in a pink pushchair.

Lucy Anderson is described as approximately 5ft 5in or 5ft 6in tall with a flushed complexion, a protruding lower lip and dark, straight hair parted in the middle. She speaks with a strong Derry accent and was wearing jeans and a grey coloured hoodie.

Stuart Creaney is described as being boyish looking with auburn, wavy hair and a light beard. When seen at the ferry terminal he was wearing a black coat with a red hooded top underneath and was carrying a boxed TV, a black rucksack and pulling a black suitcase.

Anyone with information can contact E District CID on 028 383153663 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.