Inquiry into case of missing girl

Sarah Benford disappeared on 6 April, 2000

Northamptonshire County Council has opened an inquiry into the case of a teenager who disappeared from a care home.

Sarah Benford was 14 when she went missing three years ago from Welford House in Northampton.

Despite a long and concerted effort involving police forces and widespread appeals, she has not been traced.

County Councillors decided last month that a full independent inquiry into her disappearance should be conducted.

It aims to check the procedure for managing missing children, ensure that treatment between children from a care home and a family home is no different and ultimately make sure that in Sarah 's case everything that could have been done was done.

Despite police efforts and countywide appeals she has never been found.

The results of the inquiry are expected to be reported to the overview committee in July.

Meetings of the panel are closed to the public.