Parents thank helpers as search continues

THE PARENTS of missing Yorkshire student Libby Squire have thanked everyone who has helped in the search for their daughter, saying they have been “overwhelmed with people’s kindness and support”.

The 21-year-old University of Hull student was reported missing in the early hours of Friday and has not been seen since, despite an intensive search operation mounted by police and volunteers.

Her parents, Lisa and Russ, yesterday issued a statement which said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has helped this week in trying to find Libby.

“We have been overwhelmed with people’s kindness and support and it’s been incredible how all her friends, students at the university, and members of the public have joined together to help us look for her.” Mr and Mrs Squire, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, added: “Libby decided to come to Hull University when she fell in love with the city. “She accepted an offer at the university before even visiting as she was so sure she would be happy here.” They also said their daughter, whose full name is Liberty Anna, was “really happy” at the university and had a “lovely group of friends”.

Detectives say Miss Squire was dropped off in a taxi near her home on Wellesley Avenue in central Hull at around 11.30pm on Thursday and was seen 10 minutes later on CCTV near a bench on Beverley Road, where a motorist stopped to check she was all right.

She is believed to have been in this area until around 12.10am on Friday.

A number of officers yesterday used sticks while combing through undergrowth on Oak Road Playing Fields, close to Wellesley Avenue, with a marine unit also searching a nearby pond.

A police helicopter could be seen repeatedly circling above Miss Squire’s home.

Officers working on the investigation have received hundreds of calls over the last few days from members of the public.