A 14-year-old girl who has been missing for six weeks may have become embroiled in London's drugs and prostitution scene, police said today.

Danielle Russell, of St Marks Field, Rochford, was last seen by her mother on June 28, but police have only just released details of her disappearance.

Danielle, a student at King Edmund School, in Vaughan Close, Rochford, had been sent by her mother to collect money from a post office. She cashed two cheques and was given £72, but she never returned.

A police spokesman said Danielle has gone missing before so her mother did not report her missing until July 1.

She has previously used her sister's name, Jade, and travelled with a friend who has connections in Woodford, east London.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Because of her age she is very vulnerable and we fear she could be a target for people involved with drugs and prostitution."

Published Tuesday August 20, 2002

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