Detectives hunting a teenager missing from her Basildon home have told of their growing fears for her safety.

The man leading the inquiry, Det Supt Kevin Macey, said they hoped she had gone of her own free will, adding: "The other potentials are too frightening to think about."

The Essex Police major investigations unit based at Rayleigh has taken over the search for Memory Rugade, 16, who has vanished without trace.

Memory was last seen at her home in Ravensfield on Sunday, December 9.

The girl, originally from Zimbabwe but who has lived with a family in the town for more than a year, disappeared without a coat, change of clothes or her handbag, which she took everywhere with her. The family became concerned and contacted Basildon police hours after her disappearance.

Det Supt Macey said: "We are very concerned for Memory's safety. It is out of character for her to have disappeared. No one has seen or heard of her since lunchtime on December 9 and that naturally gives us cause for concern. It is very unusual for a girl not to take her handbag or a coat out with her.

"We appeal to anyone who may know where Memory is or who has seen her - or for Memory herself - to contact us."

She is between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 7ins ins tall, of medium build with short, dark brown hair.

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001