“Selfie” photo released in attempt to find missing girls

POLICE searching for two missing teenagers have released this “selfie” phototaken recently by the girls.

Patricia Zupkova (15) was last seen by her family in Eastwood on Boxing Day.

She is believed to be with friend Diana Horvathova, also 15, who went missing from Leeds on Christmas Eve.

The girls, both originally from Slovakia, are believed to have been staying in the Harehills area of the city.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Police are carrying out a joint investigation to trace the pair.

The photo — from a phone seized as part of the investigation —\!q is believed to have been taken in the last couple of days. It shows both girls wearing striped tops.

Det Insp Steve Lavelle said: “We remain very concerned for the welfare of these two young girls.

“We are becoming increasingly concerned the longer they are out there without anyone knowing their whereabouts.

“The recent ‘selfie’ photos show that they are still together and seemingly okay. But it is vital that we find them as soon as possible and satisfy ourselves that they are safe and well.

“We have been carrying out wide-ranging enquiries in conjunction with our colleagues in South Yorkshire Police and that work will be continuing until we find them.

“We would urgently like to hear from anyone who knows their whereabouts or who has any information that could assist the investigation.”

Patricia is described as having dark brown wavy shoulder-length hair.

Diana is described as white, 5ft 2ins tall, slim, with long brown hair with blonde highlights. She has the initials DH tattooed on her neck.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting number 1168 of December 30.