A CHILD who has been missing for 15 days is now feared to have been abducted.

15-year-old Maddie Thomas has not been seen since Tuesday, April 26 and now detectives investigating her disappearance are treating the case as child abduction.

UPDATE: Three men arrested after missing 15-year-old Maddie found

Maddie was last seen in the Southmead area of Bristol after a he saw a relative and told them she was going to a shop.

On previous occasions when the teen has gone missing, she has been found to be in the company of a man and officers believe this is likely to be the case now.

Detective Inspector Laura Miller said: “We are no longer investigating Maddie’s disappearance as a missing person case but as a child abduction.

“When Maddie has previously gone missing she has been found in the company of adult men and it is mainly due to this history that we believe she is likely to currently be with someone.

“Maddie is a child in foster care, no one has permission to keep her from her carers. She is vulnerable and at risk of being taken advantage of.

“We’re really concerned about her safety and have a dedicated team working extremely hard to locate her.”

Avon and Someret Police said there has been no contact from Maddie since seeing a relative on April, 26 and the circumstances of her disappearance are 'deeply worrying.'

The force say they have followed a number of lines of enquiry, but need more help from the public.

CCTV enquiries, including a poster campaign and house to house enquiries have been carried out in the Southmead area where Maddie was last seen, but concerns are now that Maddie could be anywhere.

DI Miller added: "Maddie could be anywhere in the country and so we really need our appeal to be shared and reported on as widely as possible.

“We’re asking anyone who sees Maddie to call 999 immediately and anyone who speaks to her or sees her online to call 101.

“Maddie – if you see this please contact us if you can to let us know you’re safe. Everyone is worried about you.”

Anyone with information should call us and give the call-handler reference number 5222098703. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.