The search for Erika Kacicova continues after a second man is arrested

A second man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 13-year-old Erika Kacicova.

A 37-year-old man was arrested earlier today in Bradford on suspicion of child abduction. Police have said this second suspect has been in contact with Erika within the past four days.

The police continue to search for the missing 13-year-old who was last seen leaving her home in Darnall, Sheffield, at 16:00 BST on the 5th of August. Detectives, however, remain confident that Erika is still alive.

Detective Inspector Helen Tate of South Yorkshire Police has urged the missing girl to make contact.

Discussing the progress of the enquiry, the detective said: “The information we have is starting to knit together and I feel we are closing in.

“The [second] arrest is most certainly a man that is known to Erika and I feel has had some contact with Erika over the last 48-96 hours.”

Tate added: “There have been sightings, albeit unconfirmed sightings, over the last 48 to 72 hours,” concluding, “when pieced together with other information it does lead me to believe that Erika is alive”.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Friday last week after handing himself over to police. The 22-year-old, who was also arrested on suspicion of child abduction and is said to have known Erika, has been bailed by police and is likely to face further questioning.

The search for Erika initially focused on Sheffield but this has expanded to the Bradford area, where the most recent suspect was arrested. The teenager is known to have connections with both locations.

The police have a number of “really positive” lines of enquiry, but are still asking the public for information about the missing teenager.

The schoolgirl is described as being about 4ft 11in (1.5m) tall, of slim build with long, dark brown, straight hair and brown eyes.

Erika left her home wearing a denim short-sleeved top over a pink Adidas zip up hoodie, dark blue jeans and denim style ankle boots.

Anyone with information about Miss Kacicova is asked to call police on 101. 

Simon Wyatt