London link in missing woman hunt

CCTV images show Ms Bracht in Newcastle and then in London

Police investigating the disappearance of Wearside mother-of-five have traced her last known movements to the Harlesden area of London.

Natalie Bracht, 34, left her home in Sunderland on 17 May with her daughters, aged between five and 13.

Detectives say she "radically changed" her appearance - donning Muslim-style clothing - to evade being identified.

They believe she may now have moved to another part of the capital in her attempts to avoid being traced.

Det Ch Insp Roger Ford, of Northumbria Police, said: "The latest information we have places Natalie in the Harlesden area of London, a long way her home in the North East and a long way from her daughters' friends and school.

White robe

"So far her decision to change her appearance and avoid identification by moving away from her home shows a high degree of planning and a great deal of effort.

"This further raises my concerns about her emotional well-being and the safety of her children."

Ms Bracht travelled to Newcastle and then by train to London's King's Cross.

CCTV images on 17 May show her in Newcastle wearing a red Berghaus-style jacket, but in London she is seen wearing a flowing white robe and head scarf.

She moved to the North East in 2006 with her children from Germany and speaks good English, with a heavy German accent.

The father of three of the girls has travelled to the UK from Germany to help with the investigation.