Interpol called in to family hunt

The family are believed to be travelling on the Continent

The hunt for a Flintshire woman who has abducted her two young children has switched to the continent, say police.

Interpol has been called into the search for Paula Sears, 28, from Bagillt, believed to be in France.

She took Jacob Luke, three, and Shauna Anne-Marie, two, who are in social services care, during an access visit.

A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of her partner, Kevin Jones, 32, who is in breach of bail conditions for an unrelated offence.

Flintshire magistrates issued the arrest warrant and agreed to lift an earlier reporting ban on Thursday allowing police to launch an appeal for the public's help.

Detectives are asking recently-returned holidaymakers for help in tracking down the foursome who disappeared on Monday 5 September.

The family's rented van was seen near Disneyland Paris

Ms Sears snatched the children during a supervised visit, after locking the social worker who was caring for them inside the house.

The camper van the family are using was spotted near Disneyland in Paris the next day.

Detective Sergeant Rob Evans, from North Wales Police, said the hunt had switched to northern France following information that the family was travelling round Europe in a white motor home or camper van, with the registration number YN 04 YPV.

"We are becoming increasingly concerned about the welfare of the children.

"We are uncertain about the family's financial position and concerned that they may be unable to provide for the children," he added.

"We are urging anyone who may have been on holiday and seen the family to contact North Wales Police as soon as possible. The children need to be seen to be safe and well."

Paula Sears snatched the children 10 days ago

Magistrates were told by prosecutor Helen Hall and Mr Evans on Thursday that it was believed that the couple and their children were out of the UK.

Mrs Hall described how the children were abducted by their mother as the social worker who was with them answered a call on her mobile.

"On finishing the call, the social worker discovered that she was locked inside the property.

"She checked upstairs, but found that she was alone. She climbed out of the window and alerted the police.

A white Vauxhall Astra Estate which the missing family had previously been using was found in nearby Flint last Friday, four days after they disappeared.

Ferry company records show all four boarded a ferry to France on the same day in the motor home or camper van which Mr Jones rented in Doncaster on 2 September.

The vehicle has not been returned and has since been reported stolen, magistrates were told.