Mother puts daughters in hijab disguise to avoid police

A MOTHER who feared her children were about to be taken into care dodged police and social services by dressing in robes and head scarves.

Pictures released today show Natalie Bracht, who according to Northumbria police has a personality disorder, and her five daughters, aged between five and 13, dressed in their disguises.

She may have been helped to hide from the authorities after claiming to be the daughter of a Libyan spy whose life was at risk, say detectives.

The family was seen on CCTV at King's Cross station, where it is thought she travelled to from her home in Sunderland. When seen on CCTV in Newcastle Mrs Bracht was wearing a red anorak but by the time she had arrived in London the entire family was kitted out in hijab-style clothing.

The pictures were released for the first time
without the children's faces obscured after the High Court granted permission for them to be publicly identified to help trace them.
The children are Manjuh Vossing, 13, Naomi Joy Sharan Vossing, 12, Indira Zoe Pirijo Bracht, 10, Naima Sina Isis Marjaleena Anutosch Bracht, nine, and five-year-old Margo Noemi Elinour Chrisanty Bracht.

Since fleeing on 17 May they have been spotted at a London mosque and were thought to be staying in Harlesden. They were then traced to a commune near Yeovil, Somerset, and in June police believe the mother took the girls to Moretonhampstead on the edge of Dartmoor. Ms Bracht, 35, came to Sunderland from Dusseldorf in 2006, and speaks good English with a German accent.

Her family have urged her to return home. Since she disappeared an interim care order has been granted for the missing children.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, of Northumbria Police, said: "Natalie is seen wearing a white robe and head scarf while some of her daughters also seem to be wearing head scarves. We don't know how they are dressed now — they may have altered their appearance."

Anyone with information should call police on 03456 043 043.