HUNDREDS of police officers today stepped up the search for a missing Dewsbury girl.

Nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has been missing from her home since Tuesday evening.

Shannon failed to return to her home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, after a school swimming lesson and was last seen on playing fields at around 7.30pm.

Police were joined by relatives and neighbours of Shannon in a massive search of the surrounding area throughout yesterday for the youngster, who they said had never been missing before.

Officers broke ice in a paddling pool in a local recreation ground and also carried out house-to-house inquiries

Extra officers were drafted in from the West Yorkshire Police Training School to help the search in sub-zero temperatures.

Police were continuing to liaise with the family and were checking the route which she may have taken on her way to her home in Moorside Road.

Speaking outside Shannon's school, Chief Supt Barry South said there were now more than 200 police officers working on the inquiry.

He said the force had closed its nearby training centre for the day to help in the search.

He said: “I’m keeping an absolutely open mind at this moment in time.

“As you can see, and as you expect, we’re carrying out extensive inquiries in the area.

“I have got over 200 officers supporting my local neighbourhood policing teams.

“They are speaking with friends, speaking with neighbours and relatives at this moment in time.”

Chief Supt South said he would not go into any details about the police inquiry and said his priority was simply to find the nine-year-old who he said was very vulnerable.

Asked how Shannon’s mother was coping, the officer said: “It’s a traumatic ordeal for any parent.

“We’ve got officers with her at this moment in time.

“My priority is locating Shannon safe and well.”

Police officers were conducting a fingertip search of the school grounds and surrounding streets, searching properties and interviewing residents.

The police helicopter also circled the skies above the area.

Shannon is described as white, around 4ft 1in and of slim build, with shoulder length, medium-brown coloured hair, which was possibly tied up in a pony tail. She has blue eyes and freckles.

She was wearing a black school jumper with a school logo on it, a white cotton T-shirt, black trousers and a black, waist-length coat with fur round the hood. She was also wearing pink and grey “Bratz” furry boots.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 01274 373737 or text 07786 200806.

A neighbour, Peter Brown, said: “This is an extremely close-knit estate. Everyone knows everyone and we’re just really worried.

“Loads of us were out until 4 o’clock last night, looking everywhere.

“We looked in sheds, in derelict buildings, in gardens and everywhere.

“She’s just a lovely little girl and we just want to get her back.”