Six-year-old twins who sparked a frantic police search after going missing from their front garden have been found, relieved police announced in the early hours of today.
The Metropolitan Police said Emmanuel and Emmanuella were last seen playing in the front garden of their home in Cowley Road, Lambeth, in south London at 6pm.
"We're pleased to confirm that they have now been found," Lambeth Police said in a statement just after midnight.
"We would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance."
A relative who had gone to check on the twins an hour later at about 7pm found they were no longer in the front garden.
Police were alerted and searched the area with the assistance of the National Police Air Service.
Family and a number of local people also assisted with the search.
Detectives released photos of the children and urged anyone who saw them to call 999 immediately.
Officers were alerted and were out searching the local area with the assistance of the National Police Air Service.
Family and a number of local people were also assisting with the search.
Emmanuella was believed to be wearing a pink top and bottoms with pink shoes and has her hair in braids.
Emmanuel was wearing a blue long sleeved top with blue bottoms and blue shoes.
Detectives said their family were desperately worried and officers were concerned for their welfare.
In a statement before they were found, the Met said: "Police are investigating after six-year-old twins were reported missing in Lambeth this evening.
"Emmanuel and Emmanuella were last seen playing in the front garden of their address in Cowley Road SW9 at around 18:00hrs before a relative went to check on them an hour later and discovered they were not there.
"Officers were alerted and are now out searching the local area with the assistance of the National Police Air Service."
