A BODY has been found during the search for a missing teenage girl.

Officers searching for missing 16-year-old Louise Smith have found a body in the Havant area.

Police say that formal identification has not yet taken place.

However, Louise’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police are treating the death as suspicious, and are continuing to investigate the circumstances.

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Mackechnie said: “Today officers located a body in an area of woodland in Havant Thicket.

Daily Echo:

“We know that news of this discovery will be very upsetting for the community, so I want to reassure you that we will be working around the clock to establish what has happened.

“We will endeavour to provide you with further updates as soon as we can, but in the meantime, we’re asking the community not to speculate on the circumstances, and instead provide all information to the police in the first instance, as this is crucial to help our enquiries.

“Thank you to everyone in the community who has offered their support so far and has assisted us with this investigation.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting 44200163113, or to contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.