Three men have been arrested for kidnap in connection with the disappearance of a Yorkshire schoolgirl believed to be hundreds of miles from home after being reported missing.

Carmelle Hepi, 13, was reported missing from home in Barnsley after midnight on June 24. Detectives believed she travelled down to London by train on the Saturday and attended a birthday party in Watling Street in Peckham that evening. It is believed she left with another group of people in a car at around 11pm and later attended addresses in Croydon, Lewisham and Purfleet in Essex.

Police believe she may be in the company an older male. And while they don't believe she has come to serious harm, the investigation is being led by detectives from the Met's specialist crime team.

Three males, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap and remain in custody, the force say.

13-year-old Carmelle Hepi from Barnsley was reported missing by her family to South Yorkshire Police just after midnight on June 24

A Met spokesman said: "Officers are in regular contact with Carmelle's family in Barnsley and have spoken to the people who were at the party. Officers believe Carmelle may now be in the company of an older male. It is not known yet where they might be."

Police believe she was photographed in a car in the Peckham area on Sunday (Jun 25). They have also released CCTV footage showing her entering the Primark in High Street, Croydon at around 4.45pm later that day before leaving at around 5.05pm. It shows her in the pink and white jacket police believe she may be wearing now.

Detective chief inspector Chris Wood issued a direct appeal to the teen, saying: "Carmelle, I want you to know that you are not in any trouble whatsoever. Our one and only focus is making sure that you are safe and well.

"Please call 999 and speak to us, or go to a police station, and we will get you back home safely. Your family are desperately worried about you and while we're supporting them as best we can, they need to know that you're OK and to come home. They cannot rest until you're back with them.

Appealing for information from the public, DCI Wood added: "My team are working round the clock, supported by our colleagues at South Yorkshire Police and local officers. As well as the arrests made, we have spoken to multiple people, searched a number of addresses and officers are conducting extensive CCTV enquiries, along with various other leads we are pursuing.

"Members of the public can help us locate Carmelle. If you have seen Carmelle, or you know her and have information about where she is or has been, it is imperative that you contact us. It doesn't matter if you're a friend who has heard or seen something in passing - you won't be in trouble.

"What matters is that you contact as you could have significant information to help us find a missing teenage girl."

Police said any immediate sightings should be reported via 999.

Three men arrested for kidnap over disappearance of missing Yorkshire teen hundreds of miles from home