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Cleo Smith search: Police confirm camper reports of ‘screeching tyres’ on morning girl went missing

Headshot of Sarah Steger
Sarah StegerThe West Australian
SES and Army Reserve officers search the area near the Blowholes campsite in Carnarvon.
Camera IconSES and Army Reserve officers search the area near the Blowholes campsite in Carnarvon. Credit: The West Australian

Police involved in the desperate search for missing girl Cleo Smith at a campsite in Carnarvon say they “haven’t ruled out” reports from campers who heard the sound of screeching tyres in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It comes as WA Police also reveal they have received information “from around the world” relating to the missing girl since she vanished.

As the search for the Carnarvon youngster enters its fifth day — and hopes she will be found alive dwindle further — Assistant Commissioner Darryl Gaunt stressed police were not leaving any stone unturned in the desperate rescue effort.

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“It is better to over respond than withdraw resources,” he said on 6PR this morning.

“We are getting information from around the world.”

Mr Gaunt confirmed there had been reports by campers who were staying at Blowholes campground of the sound of screeching tyres early Saturday morning.

“We haven’t ruled it out — it is a little bit unsubstantiated, but we haven’t ruled it out,” he said.

Signage posted on a speed sign on the road into the Blowholes.
Camera IconSignage posted on a speed sign on the road into the Blowholes. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

“We have a lot of information from people within or who have been in the area.

“They have reported certain noises or activities — most have been explained.”

It came after he admitted no members of the public actually saw Cleo at the Blowholes campsite the day before she vanished.

“No one has actually seen her — as far as from a public perspective,” Mr Gaunt said.

“But we do have other evidence that would assure us she was there, so nothing to say she wasn’t there at this stage.”

With the marine arm of the extensive land, air and sea search operation cancelled on Monday, after no sign of Cleo entering the water was found, fears are mounting the child was snatched from her family’s tent.

But despite growing suspicions of an abduction, Mr Gaunt said they didn’t want to make assumptions.

Cleo Smith’s mother, Ellie Smith and her partner Jake Gliddon, speak about the young girl’s disappearance.
Camera IconCleo Smith’s mother, Ellie Smith and her partner Jake Gliddon, speak about the young girl’s disappearance. Credit: ABC News

“We are just making sure that we search by air, land and sea,” he said.

“We keep doing that until we know we have searched two, three times.

“We will keep searching.”

Police, officers from the mounted section, Army Reserve personnel and SES volunteers resumed their land search about 7.30am today after their efforts were disrupted yesterday morning due to strong winds and heavy rainfall.

During the extensive search, several cabins and shacks near the Blowholes, which house long-term residents, were searched.

Campers who were staying at the tourist spot around the time Cleo vanished have also been tracked and traced by police.

It is understood footage has also been taken from a number of businesses around the area, including the Minilya Roadhouse, 170km north of Quobba on North West Coastal Highway.

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