Aisling victim of an opportunist, police say

Angela and Alan Symes arrive to make their public appeal to anyone with information on Aisling. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Three days after her disappearance from her deceased grandparents' vacant home on Longburn Rd in Henderson, police have followed up several reported sightings of 2-year-old girls, but none have led them to the missing toddler.

Her distraught parents, Alan and Angela Symes, yesterday pleaded for her safe return.

They said they were not concerned about why or how Aisling had been taken. They just wanted her back.

"Just as long as they are looking after her," said Mrs Symes from the family's Massey home, tears streaming down her face.

Police have suspended the search of the area around Longburn Rd - carried out by 100 officers and volunteers - and are satisfied the toddler is not there.

Inquiry head Inspector Gary Davey said police were "keeping an open mind" but were increasingly convinced Aisling had been snatched.

"We have searched and not found her, which makes it more likely we are looking at someone having picked up Aisling," he said.

A team of more than 40 officers are working on the criminal investigation, checking "people of concern" in the area and looking at any recent reports of suspicious behaviour.

Mr Davey said two sightings of Aisling on Longburn Rd, around the time she disappeared on Monday, indicated the most likely possibility was an opportunistic abduction.

"As far as we know, we believe Aisling hasn't wandered off."

Mr Davey confirmed reports that one sighting was reported by a 9-year-old child, but would not talk about the other.

"We have taken down what they have seen and have to put it in the jigsaw puzzle with everything else."

He said police followed up a sighting that fitted the description of an Asian woman seen with the toddler before her disappearance, and were confident it wasn't the same person.

But they wanted to hear from anyone with information about the Asian woman - described as being in her 30s, about 165cm tall, of medium build and with long straight black hair.

She was wearing a black crew-neck top, with three-quarter-length sleeves, three-quarter-length blue jeans and black leather sandals and black socks.

Mr Davey said police did not want the public victimising Asian women, but "sightings that are out of the ordinary or fit the description should be reported".

Last night, forensic experts went through the Symes' family home, taking DNA samples from Aisling's clothing and examining other items that might help the police inquiry.

Mr Davey urged the person with Aisling, or anyone with information on the toddler's whereabouts, to come forward.

"Whoever may have Aisling, the sole focus of the police investigation is to have her returned safely.

"Don't worry about the reasons why you haven't reported it, just come forward."

He also asked anyone living near Longburn Rd to double-check that the toddler was not on their property.

Yesterday, Aisling's parents made a plea to have their daughter back.

Mr Symes described the past few days as "the most harrowing of our lives", and spoke directly to whoever might have his little girl.

"Aisling is our 2-year-old daughter, a sister to Caitlin, a cousin and a beloved niece and granddaughter. We want her back," he said.

"Please, if you have any information, any at all, please come forward."