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National
Aaron Morris

Constance Marten's dad releases statement as police scramble for missing baby

The father of Constance Marten has broke his silence, after his daughter and her boyfriend, Mark Gordon were arrested in Brighton yesterday evening.

It comes after the pair were spotted at Stanmer Villas last night before being apprehended by police shortly afterwards.

However, now an urgent search is taking place to find Constance's new-born baby, who is said to have not received any medical attention since being born last month.

Read more: Police urgently search for missing baby after aristocrat Constance Marten and partner arrested

Speaking to The Independent, Constance Marten’s father Napier Marten said: “It is an immense relief to know my beloved daughter Constance has been found, tempered by the very alarming news her baby has yet to be found."

He added that he is 'profoundly grateful' to the force for committing 'great resources' to searching for Constance, adding: “When the time comes, I am longing to see Constance to reassure her that, whatever the weather, I love her dearly and will support her as best I can through the difficult weeks and months here on in."

Police search teams in Roedale Valley Allotments, Brighton, where an urgent search operation is underway to find the missing baby of Constance Marten (PA)

Constance Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, had been travelling the UK via taxi after their car was found aflame on the M61 in Bolton, January 5.

My London reports that senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, told BBC Breakfast that officers from the Met and Sussex police are searching a vast area of land to locate the child. The couple are said to have travelled long distances throughout the time period prior to their arrest.

Mr Basford said: “It is a vast area and at present we are looking in the local vicinity to where the couple were arrested last night, seeking a shelter or location for where they may have been holed up and hopefully where the baby is present. The arrest location was close to open land and the couple were moving towards that land.

"And that’s why we are focusing heavily on where we are right now. We know that they travel, we know they travel long distances. My plea to the members of the public here in Brighton and crossing over towards Newhaven is please be vigilant in the open land where you are, in the outbuildings that you may have on your own property, and assist us in that way by being vigilant.”

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