UPDATE:
Officers searching for two missing children from Gillingham have confirmed they have been found.

James Lea, aged 12, and Sami-Rose Souch, aged 11, were reporting missing having last been seen at around 3.15pm on Monday 27 March 2023.

Following searches by officers, with assistance from the Metropolitan Police, they have now been located.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: ‘We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal.’

EARLIER STORY:
Police officers searching for two children who have gone missing from Gillingham are appealing for help from the public in their efforts to find them.

James Lea, who is 12 years old, and Sami-Rose Souch, age 11, were reported missing at about 5.35pm on Monday 27 March 2023. They had last been seen at 3.15pm near Gillingham School.

James is described as five feet nine inches tall and with blond hair – shaved at sides and curly on top. He is wearing school uniform.

Sami-Rose is five feet five inches tall, of slim build and has shoulder-length brown hair. She is wearing black skinny jeans, a black Nike Puffer-style coat and black trainers.

Inspector Tracy Santoni, of Dorset Police, said: ‘We believe both children are together and may have travelled on a train to Yeovil and then to London.

‘Due to their young age we need to find them urgently and ensure their safety and wellbeing.

‘If anyone has some information that could assist us further, please contact us as soon as possible.’

Anyone with information or knowledge as to the missing children’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting incident number 26:509.