Charlotte police offer 'amnesty'

Charlotte Pinkney vanished a week before her 17th birthday

Police say potential witnesses who may be reluctant to come forward with information about a missing Devon teenager will not face prosecution over drugs use.

Charlotte Pinkney, 17, disappeared in Ilfracombe after being dropped off at 0400 GMT on February 28 after a party.

Police say there is a suggestion that controlled drugs were in use at the party.

More than 70 officers are now involved in the search for the teenager.

We won't be pursuing any side issues, just the return of Charlotte Detective Chief Inspector Tony Carney

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Carney of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "There is a suggestion that some controlled drugs were in use at a party on the night of the 27/28 February.

"Our concern is Charlotte and to that end we are not interested in any controlled drugs that might have been in use at that party.

"If anybody is concerned about coming forward because they might have been in possession of controlled drugs, or for any other reason, then they can come forward in complete confidence that we won't be pursuing any side issues, just the return of Charlotte."

Police have been searching the area around the Slade Reservoirs

Charlotte set off from her Ilfracombe home on 27 February, intending to visit some pubs in the resort town before going on to the party in Burnside Road.

She was seen leaving the party between 0300 and 0330 GMT, but the last sighting of her was outside a community centre in nearby Slade Road.

She was dropped off there, near a friend's house where she was going to stay the night, by the driver of a red Vauxhall Cavalier car.

The car was later abandoned in a small underpass near two reservoirs off the Slade Road.

Charlotte was reported missing by her parents on 4 March and concern was heightened when she failed to make contact with her parents on her birthday on 6 March.

A murder hunt was launched following the discovery of her handbag.

Charlotte's parents identified her bag

A 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with her disappearance on 7 March, but was released on bail two days later and ordered to report back to police on 15 April.

Charlotte had been living with a boyfriend in Ilfracombe and is 5 ft 2 in tall with long, dark brown, waist-length hair.

She was last seen in a cream coat, a black T-shirt and checked trousers.