Mystery of the missing teenagers

The discovery of the unidentified body found in the Thames highlights the problem of the thousands of people who go missing in Britain.

Each year, about 210,000 people are reported missing, the vast majority of them being found safely within 72 hours, according to Home Office figures.

About 100,000 are teenagers who have run away from home. Most are girls between 13 and 17 who are often the victim of family disputes or problems at school. Girls from the age of 14 are estimated to be twice as likely to run away as boys.

Most are found but the National Missing Persons Helpline currently has 20,000 missing people on its records who are still outstanding. In London, police estimate there are about 200 missing teenagers at any time.

Among those causing police and the charity most concern are the following 10 girls who are believed to be at high risk. Anyone with information should call the charity helpline on 0500 700 700.

Lucy Pickford, 14, walked out of her home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, on 22 March. Lucy, who has gone missing before, has never been away for so long. Police believe she may be with an older teenage boy.

Danielle Jones, 15, who disappeared last June in Tilbury, has still not been found. Danielle was last seen near her home walking to catch a bus to Stanford-le-Hope on 18 June. Her uncle, builder Stuart Campbell, 43, of Grays, has been charged with her murder.

Ruth Wilson, of Bletchworth, was 16 when she disappeared in November 1995. She was last seen at the Hand In Hand pub near Boxhill at about 4.30pm when a taxi dropped her there. No one has seen her since.

Sarah Benford was 14 when she went missing from her home in Northampton in March, 2000. She has not been seen since.

Alla Manakova, 12, a Russian girl, went missing from the Streatham area in March, 2000. She is believed to be with an older man.

Elizabeth Chau, 19, vanished in Acton in April, 1999. She attended college as usual but did not return to her West Ealing home. She was last seen walking down Uxbridge Road. Police fear she has been murdered.

Nicola Payne, 19, disappeared during a shopping trip near her home in Wood End, Coventry, in December, 1991.

Vicky Hamilton was 15 when she disappeared in February, 1991, after being seen waiting for a bus from Bathgate, West Lothian, to her home in Falkirk, Stirlingshire.

Carmel Fenech was 16 when she went missing from her home in Crawley in May, 1998. She may have travelled to Paddington.

Arlene Arkinson, 15 when she went missing from her home in Tyrone in 1994, has not been heard of since.