Search for couple who ‘abducted children’

Aged nine and two, the children were taken by Sri Lankan nationals Mohammed Fayaz Mohammed and Shikira Wahab, both 30, during a supervised visit at the Clifford Brooke Centre in Roundhay Road, Leeds on Thursday.

The pair took the youngsters while the children’s escort was paying a taxi fare, and then made off on foot towards Spencer Place at around 3.10pm.

Police are treating the case as one of child abduction and Mohammed and Wahab are wanted for breaking the terms of a court order by taking, Afra, a girl aged nine, and Ahmed, two.

Officers believe the pair are still in the UK. Addresses across West Yorkshire have been searched and police are looking into connections the pair are believed to have in Middlesborough.

A national all-ports warning has also been issued.

The boy was wearing a beige hat, blue jacket and Adidas trainers, while the girl was dressed in a black cardigan and skirt.

Mohammed was dressed in blue jeans, a light blue sweater and a dark, khaki coloured jacket. He was also wearing white trainers with black markings on the toes.

Wahab was wearing black, knee-high boots with purple leggings and a floaty, floral patterned dress. She was also wearing a dark coloured cardigan and a peach coloured head scarf.

Detective Superintendent Sukhbir Singh said: “Our priority is the safety of the children and I would ask the public to look at the pictures and get in touch with us if they have any information.

“We are continuing to work with police in Cleveland and other parts of the country as we look into connections Mohammed and Wahab may have across the UK.

“If Mohammed or Wahab hear this appeal I would urge them to contact us as a matter of urgency; we can help you.”

Contact West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on: 01924 334675.