Police defend action over Shannon

Karen Matthews says Shannon is being well-looked after

Police in West Yorkshire have defended the length of time it took to rescue missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

The nine year old was found in a flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, three weeks after she disappeared on her way home from school in Dewsbury.

Ch Supt Barry South said if police had known where Shannon was, they "would have been there in seconds".

Shannon's stepfather's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, was arrested on Friday. Shannon is in social services care.

Police have been given more time to question Mr Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, who is being held on suspicion of abduction.

Had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon we would have been there in seconds Ch Supt Barry South

West Yorkshire Police held a community meeting on Sunday evening to dispel rumours in Dewsbury about their 24-day search for Shannon, who was found less than a mile from her home.

Officers rejected suggestions they had not acted swiftly enough to local information.

Ch Supt South of West Yorkshire Police made a statement outside a community meeting in Dewsbury.

He said: "Let me put on notice... had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon we would have been there in seconds."

He said Shannon's welfare was their "main priority" and she was "in safe hands".

"The big thing now is to get Shannon and her family back to normality," he said.

Shannon Matthews was found in a flat on Friday afternoon

Specially-trained officers interviewed Shannon on Saturday and Sunday.

Her mother Karen said: "I fully understand that the police need to keep speaking to Shannon to establish exactly what has happened during the time that she has been missing.

"I appreciate that could take some time and is not something that is going to happen overnight.

"The most important thing is that Shannon is safe.

'Really grateful'

"I have seen Shannon and I am completely happy that she is being very well looked after and is being given all the care she needs.

"The police have been brilliant and I'm really grateful for all they have done for us."

She said a big party was planned for her return, to thank the community for all their support.

Mr Donovan and Shannon were found by police in two concealed compartments under a divan bed at the flat in Lidgate Gardens, just one mile from Shannon's parents' home in Dewsbury, on Friday afternoon.