Sir Norman Bettison today expressed his disappointment the professionalism of his officers had been questioned following the rescue of Shannon from a flat a mile from her Dewsbury home on Friday.

He singled out Detectives Paul Kettlewell and Nick Townsend for praise and said the team has fielded thousands of calls, had questioned 6,000 people and searched 3,000 homes in the 24 days the nine-year-old was missing.

Sixty detectives are still seeking evidence on the case, a process that will continue, he said.

Sir Norman was speaking from Dewsbury Police Station where Shannon was taken following the dramatic scenes in Batley Carr on Friday.

Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, was arrested after police smashed their way into a flat and found the missing youngster concealed in a bed.

Later that day, the young girl was made subject to an emergency protection order placing her in police care. The order was removed today but police said she will remain in official care while specialist officers continue to speak to her about her ordeal.

Police were also today granted further time to question Mr Donovan.

The press conference this afternoon followed reports suggesting police had been given details which should have led them to her earlier.

But Sir Norman said it was an address which had been of interest, but only as a result of "smaller pieces of a jigsaw coming together".

He dismissed those quoted in some newspapers alleging they had given officers vital pieces of the jigsaw earlier as "fantasists".

As it was, Dc Kettlewell and Dc Townsend called at Lidgate Gardens on Friday morning.

"Given that was the 700th action they had undertaken since the start of the investigation, I think it is both amazing and I think it is question of pride for me that they then started to make inquiries of neighbours," he said.

"We heard for the first time in the officers' investigation about the pitter-patter of a young girl's footsteps in the maisonette above."

After hearing the footsteps the officers did a "front-and-back" and kept the flat under surveillance before asking for officers who could force an entry.

The police chief went on to say that he never expected to have to answer a question about the professionalism of the investigation.

He said: "I'm immensely satisfied and immensely proud of them."

Sir Norman said Shannon was being questioned slowly, in 10 or 15-minute sessions.

"Shannon is safe. She's well. She's in the place where we think that she's safest at the moment," he said.

"She's away from the flashing lenses and the glare of publicity. She's in safe and caring hands.

"She's in the hands of people who can be trusted to do everything that is possibly needed for Shannon's welfare and care."

The nine-year-old is unlikely to return home for some days, he said, as specialist officers continue their efforts to piece together what happened to her in the days she was missing.

Sir Norman has also written to his staff, thanking them for their efforts in the inquiry.

"Paul and Nick can be really proud of their days work on Friday," he said. "The reason I write now is to say that all of you, in your own contribution can be proud of the role you played in this professional investigation. I want you to know that you have my thanks for your endeavours.

"You will understand that the investigation continues and it is not possible to provide further details at this time. I do want to say, however, that some of the reporting following Shannon's rescue by West Yorkshire Police has been very wide of the mark.

"I know from my personal briefings about this investigation just how complex the lines of enquiry have been, and remain."

He added: "Claims of what has been said to Officers involved in the investigation, and reported widely in the press, have been exaggerated.

"This investigation has been text book, from the search patterns on the cold night of 19 February, right through to the professional detective work of Paul Kettlewell and Nick Townsend on Friday morning. I want you to be proud of what has been achieved by West Yorkshire Police. I am."