Police confirm belief Cleo Smith was ABDUCTED as search goes nationwide

The local land search of the immediate area surrounding the campsite where four-year-old Cleo Smith went missing is expected to wrap up within the next 24 hours.

Six days into their search for Cleo, who disappeared from the Blowholes campsite at Macleod near Carnarvon on Saturday morning, investigators have found no trace of the little girl.

Police have confirmed they believe it’s likely Cleo did not wander off by accident but rather was kidnapped.

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Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, WA Acting Police Commissioner Col Blanch said Cleo’s disappearance “strikes at the heart of Western Australians.”

“Someone in our community knows what happened to Cleo,” he said.

“Hundreds of thousands of data points, hundreds of witnesses, hundreds of exhibits, we will work methodically through that information to get the answers that we need.

“Our priority is to bring Cleo home.”

More than 100 police officers are now involved in the operation to find Cleo, named Operation Rodia.

Carriage of the investigation is being spearheaded by Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde of the WA Police Major Crime division.

“Given the information that we have gleaned from the scene, the fact that the search has gone on for this period of time and we haven’t been able to locate her, that leads us to believe she was taken from the tent,” he said.

“We’ve been in touch with all (police) jurisdictions around Australia.

“We have got the nation looking for Cleo.

“Today’s announcement is to say everyone needs to be looking for Cleo.

“Look at people who have acted strangely since the 16th (of October), look at people who have been in that area … ask questions.

“We are keeping a very open mind in this investigation.”

The WA government has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the return of Cleo or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

“The reward is for locating Cleo or bringing those persons or person to account who are involved in her disappearance,” Deputy Commissioner Blanch said.

“The cooperation of the community is what we are urgently seeking.

“Someone has the knowledge to help.”