Missing schoolgirl's friend urges her to call as police launch publicity campaign
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A friend of the missing teenager Amanda Dowler pleaded for her to return home yesterday as the police search entered its second week.
Danielle Sykes, 14, was one of the last people to see Amanda, 13, also known as Milly, as she walked towards her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. She said she loved her classmate and urged her to call her mobile phone.
Surrey Police said they were keeping an open mind about why Amanda disappeared in daylight on 21 March.
Amanda left two friends, including Danielle, at a café in Walton-on-Thames train station at 4pm for the 15-minute walk home after telephoning her father to say she would be a little late.
Danielle, who met Amanda three years ago when they enrolled at Heathside School in nearby Weybridge at the same time, appealed for her friend to return home. She said: "When I think of the memories that we have shared together I smile to myself. I love you, Milly, and want you back with us.
"I have been remembering the times that we have been together. Little things that have stuck in my head, the song that we made together ... with you and your saxophone and me singing. You could hardly play for laughing ... Please get in contact with someone. I have my mobile on, so any time soon please call. No one is angry with you and we all just want you to return home."
Detectives, who believe Amanda may have run away or been abducted by someone she knew, have broadened their search beyond her route home.
Officers were also following up leads from the computer in the Dowler family home which Amanda used for e–mail. But police said they had found no obvious reason for her disappearance.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "We are keeping an open mind. We are increasingly concerned for her safety and would appeal for her to come home."
Efforts to trace Amanda are being bolstered by a new publicity campaign which will see giant posters of the schoolgirl placed on both sides of a 40ft Ford lorry which will travel the country transporting components for the car company.
Amanda has been included in a joint scheme between Ford and the Missing Persons' Helpline which will be launched tomorrow.