Aisling Symes : 'If you have any information, come forward

The father of a missing two-year-old has made a desperate plea to her would-be abductor, during an emotional press conference today.

Allan Symes thanked the people of west Auckland for their dedicated support as the search for Aisling Symes continued into its fourth day.

"Aisling is our two-year-old daughter, sister to Caitlin, cousin and beloved niece and granddaughter. We want her back so please if you have any information, any at all, please come forward," Mr Symes said.

Parents grief stricken

He described the last four days as "the most harrowing of our lives".

"No sleep, it's been like we're barely existing, surviving every moment not knowing where Aisling is. Is she near us? Is she being treated well? Things like, has her nappy been changed?"

Allan was joined by his wife Angela and Inspector Gary Davey, who said police empathised with the family but don't have a lot to add.

He said the investigation had been increased to over 40 officers and he was looking to increase that again this afternoon.

Public appeal for help

"I'm appealing to anyone with information, no matter how trivial, that it is important to come forward," Mr Davey said.

"To whoever has Aisling out there, the sole focus of police at the moment is to have Aisling returned safely.

"We hope you come forward and leave her in a safe place where she can be found."

Mr Davey said the Commissioner of Police, Howard Broad, had visited the Henderson Police Station and met with the Symes family today.

He was asked about a possible reward being offered but said it was not necessary given the level of support from the public.

"Police are looking at not just persons of interest but behaviour of interest," Mr Davey said.

"We have identified people in the area through the area canvas and local intelligence and what we're doing is profiling people of concern."

Mr Davey said police had received a number of calls from the public about potential sightings of Aisling but at this stage none had panned out.

Following the press conference Angela and Allan left the room before Angela was heard bursting into tears outside.

Earlier both parents told nzherald.co.nz they were not concerned with whoever had their daughter - they just wanted her returned safe and well.

Angela Symes cried as she said: "Just as long as they are looking after her."

Aunt's plea

The toddler's aunt Aithne Potts urged anyone with information to come forward or just drop Aisling off somewhere safe.

"As long as she's safe and well we don't give a damn [about who took her]."

Police searching for Aisling are now looking at any reports of suspicious behaviour in the Henderson area in the past few weeks, particularly involving child-related offending.

TV3 this morning reported that police were going to an address in Henderson after a possible sighting of Aisling, but the story was later taken off their website.

As the search for the 2-year-old intensified yesterday, police confirmed they believed she had been abducted.

Aisling's disappearance

Aisling disappeared about 5pm on Monday from her deceased grandparents' vacant Longburn Rd home, which her mother, Angela Symes, was cleaning.

Earlier, neighbour Cherie Tahitahi had heard Aisling and her sister, Caitlin, 5, giggling at some ducklings.

Mr Davey said it was unlikely Aisling had been swept out to sea and police believed she could be with a stranger.

Suspicious behaviour had been reported in the area recently, he said, but he would not say whether that involved paedophiles.

"We will be profiling people of interest who were either predisposed to that type of behaviour or living in the area."

Yesterday, police went door-knocking. They want people to report any suspicious behaviour within 5km of Longburn Rd.

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• alan
• symes

[BOBCATCUB]

i hope she is found soon

[bocciafan]

I really hope she is found safe and well soon. I feel so bad for her family.

[sainglain]

@monixe - very sad - Aisling Rest In Peace

[wwwwooooaaaahhhhaye]

she ran out of the laundry in her granparents house when her mums back was turned and fell in a drainpipe which she fell into. it was an accident and noone stole her. its so sad though. nz luvs u aisling :)

[harismujanovic]

:( R.I.P little angel <3

[cincinnatikate]

So does anyone think the parents did it?

[BOBCATCUB]

she was found but dead

[robinhowardjohnson]

This is absolultey devastating! Rest in peace angel Aisling!

[Sareeneea]

Rest in Peace darling ... you'll be missed dearly. New Zealand loves you.

[monixe]

Rip Aisling ... sad