Police are appealing for information following concerns that the Mongrel Mob may be holding two teenage girls against their will.
Inquiries are being made at known Mongrel Mob addresses in the Porirua and Lower Hutt areas after the mother of one of the young women reported her daughter missing to police last night. The second young woman's mother reported her missing this morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau, Lower Hutt CIB, says the 16-year-old and 17-year-olds are friends and were last seen on Friday, 2 September.
"We don't yet know the full circumstances surrounding their disappearance but it would appear they may be with Mongrel Mob members from Porirua. They may have gone consensually with Mob members on Friday but information suggests there's a possibility they are now being detained against their will."
The girls are:
1. Beverley Barbara Hadfield, aged 17 years, a pale skinned Maori, medium build, who lives in Petone.
2. Frances Chandra Holmes, aged 16 years, a slimly built part Indian, who also lives in Petone.
It's not known what clothes the girls are wearing.
"We are receiving conflicting reports about their whereabouts and until we know otherwise, we are concerned for their well-being," Detective Senior Sergeant Malaulau says. "We would like to hear from the girls, if they are able to contact us, or from people who have seen them in recent days and know where they are."
He says the possible gang involvement is making it difficult for police to get information.
"People with links to the Mob are reluctant tell us what they know however the safety and well-being of the two girls is our primary concern," he says.
Any information to Detective Sergeant Mike Sears, Lower Hutt Police CIB: telephone 560 2600.
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Media note: Photos of the young women are attached or available electronically from Kaye Calder, Wellington Police District communications manager, tel 04 496 3464 or 0274 373 020