The sister of a missing woman who was last seen getting into a man's van before vanishing has put out a desperate plea.
Katie Kenyon was reported missing after not being seen since last Friday morning (April 22). The 33-year-old is believed to have left an address in Burnley before travelling with a man in a silver Ford Transit to the village of Bolton-by-Bowland - roughly 16 miles away.
The vehicle's registration is MT57 FLC, police said in a statement. Officers said they are becoming 'increasingly concerned' about her, while Katie's family have said her sudden disappearance is 'out of character'.
READ MORE: Manhunt launched as woman, 33, thought to be seen travelling in van with man goes missing
A 50-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is helping police with enquiries. Katie's sister has now issued a plea on social media, the Mirror reports.
Writing on Facebook on Sunday evening, Sarah Kenyon wrote: "It is now a waiting game, we have done everything we can, searched everywhere, contacted everyone."
She also pleaded with people not to launch their own searches. She added: "Can we NOT do any searches or plan search parties! Police do not want this to be tampered with right now!! Please leave all this them now."
In a separate update on Sunday morning, Sarah also said the investigation is 'progressing' and that the family had been 'informed with information [Saturday] night that we cannot disclose as of yet'.
Police have launched a major search of a popular beauty spot in the Bolton-by-Bowland area. Lancashire Constabulary’s Force Major Investigation Team yesterday issued an appeal for anyone who may have seen Katie or who has dashcam footage to come forward, regardless of how insignificant it may seem.
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary told The Mirror the man has been taken into custody on suspicion of kidnap, but is yet to be charged. Katie is described as white, 33, 5ft 9ins, with shoulder length blond hair and was last seen wearing a blue cardigan, light blue and white top, black leggings and flip flops.
Det Chief Insp Al Davies, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Katie’s disappearance is out of character and her family are understandably very worried. We are doing all we can to try and find her and I would appeal to anyone who has any information, however insignificant you may think it is, to come forward and contact us.
“I would especially like to hear from anyone who was in Bolton by Bowland or the surrounding area and saw anything suspicious to get in touch. Did you see a woman matching Katie’s description, either alone or with a man?
"Did you see the silver transit van or might you have dashcam footage which shows it. While we have arrested someone in connection with our investigation, I am very much keeping an open mind as to what has happened and I have a team of officers and staff working hard to try and find Katie and return her to her family. You could help with that so please do come forward and speak to us as your information could prove crucial.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log 800 of April 24 or use the Major Incident Public Portal. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
