Mikaeel Kular search: 'Deep concern' for missing boy
Mikaeel Kular was last seen going to bed on Wednesday evening Police searching for a missing three-year-old boy have said they "remain optimistic" but are becoming "deeply concerned" as time passes.
Mikaeel Kular has not been seen since his mother put him to bed at his home in Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh, at about 21:00 on Wednesday.
A police helicopter, sniffer dogs, coastguard and lifeboat teams have been involved in the ongoing search.
Supt Liz McAinsh urged anyone who may have seen Mikaeel to contact police.
Family, neighbours and the emergency services have searched through the night for Mikaeel who was reported missing at at 07:15 on Thursday.
A nearby community centre is being used as a meeting point for people who want to help with the search.
The charity Missing People will be showing Mikaeel's face on big screens in public places such as railway stations.
Police urged anyone with information to telephone the 0300 200 0200 number and asked local residents to check their gardens, sheds, parks and lock-ups.
The temperature dropped to around 3C in Edinburgh on Thursday night.
Police Scotland said that more than 100 people had already called the hotline.
Specialist teams are on standby and ready to act on any significant information provided, they added.
Overnight, police issued a photograph showing the boy in the coat he was believed to be wearing when he disappeared - a beige hooded jacket with grey fur-lined hood.
He may also have been wearing black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top featuring an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clark shoes with two Velcro straps.
An image released on Thursday shows Mikaeel in the jacket he was thought to have been wearing when he went missing He is 3ft tall and has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left side of his mouth.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Supt McAinsh said there was "no evidence of any criminality at this point" and it was still a missing person inquiry.
She said there were "many, many lines of inquiry" and that all lines were being pursued.
"I remain optimistic but as time passes we are becoming deeply concerned," she said.
Supt Liz McAinsh renewed the appeal for information, urging anyone who may have seen Mikaeel to contact police.
"Significant Policing resources were deployed throughout the night but there is still no trace of Mikaeel," she said.
"There has been a fantastic response from the public with the dedicated phone number, which we issued yesterday, receiving numerous calls. However, we continue to urge anyone who may have information relating to Mikaeel's disappearance or current whereabouts, who hasn't yet contacted us, to get in touch via 0300 200 0200.
"As people are awakening again, I repeat our requests for them to be vigilant and check out any area where they see something different or out of place. Also to revisit their gardens, sheds and outhouses - even if they checked them yesterday.
"Today, we are continuing with our search using specialist officers, police dogs and horses and the air support unit."
No suspectsShe said the police appreciated the support of the local community.
"Those who are keen to become involved in the search should attend the North Neighbourhood Centre in West Pilton Gardens at 10am where they will be briefed by my colleagues," she said.
There were no signs of a door being left open at the property, police said "It is a cold January day, so please wear warm clothing and sturdy boots or footwear."
Earlier, Supt McAinsh confirmed there were no signs of a door being left open in the property and said she was not aware of anyone else having access to the flat.
Responding to reporters' questions on Thursday night she said Mikaeel would have been capable of opening doors and leaving the house by himself.
She added that a number of people were helping officers with their inquiries, but there were no suspects and had been no arrests or formal detentions.
Mikaeel, who is British with Asian parents, was at home with his mother and four siblings, including his twin sister, when he was last seen.
He normally sleeps in the same room as his twin sister, police said, but was alone on Wednesday.
Supt McAinsh confirmed that police had spoken to Mikaeel's father and his family were being very helpful.
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