Shannon Made Subject Of Emergency Care Order

Shannon Matthews, the Dewsbury schoolgirl who has been missing for 24 days, has been made the subject of an emergency care order just hours after being found.

The nine-year-old was found in a flat less than a mile from her home on Moorside Road in Dewsbury Moor.

Just hours after police stormed the flat, Shannon has been made the subject of an Emergency Police Protection Order and will be cared for by Social Services.

A West Yorkshire Police statement read: “Shannon Matthews has been away from home for almost four weeks.

“As part of our ongoing enquiries, and following medical checks, West Yorkshire Police will begin the process of interviewing Shannon.

“This may be a long process but throughout this enquiry our main focus has been and continues to be Shannon’s welfare.

“We have therefore taken the decision that, for now, it is in Shannon’s best interests that she be made subject of an Emergency Police Protection Order.

“This will remain in place until we have had time to establish the full facts of what happened in the time since her disappearance.”