A man has been arrested on suspicion of people trafficking as police appeal for help to find two teenage girls who went missing from their homes.

Detectives believe Andreea, 15, and her cousin Izabela, 16, are at risk of harm and have launched a high-risk missing person’s investigation, with officers pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to find them.

Izabela was last seen on Sunday 3 October in Harrow, west London, while Andreea went missing on Friday 1 October from her home in Canterbury, Kent.

On Tuesday, a 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of people trafficking and remains in custody at a north London police station.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Bellis, of the North West Public Protection Unit, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Andreea and Izabela.

“While we are keeping an open mind as to their whereabouts, we believe they may have been taken outside London by people who could do them harm.

“I would like to appeal directly to Andreea and Izabela. You are not in trouble and there are people who want to help you. Please contact the police or someone you trust when it is safe to do so.

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“I would also urge members of the public, particularly in London and Dundee, to come forward if they have any information that could help us.”

In addition to London and Kent, the teenagers are believed to have links to Leicester and Dundee.

Anyone who sees the girls should call 999.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call 101, giving the reference CAD7399/06OCT, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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