Police are searching for a six-year-old girl who it is feared has been abducted in Brighton.
Summer Haipule, from the Moulsecoomb area, was reported missing by her mother at 1925 BST on Monday after she failed to arrive at a friend's house, a few doors away from her home.
Witnesses reported to police they had seen a young girl matching her description being dragged into a car.
It is thought that two men were in the vehicle, a light blue four-door Ford Escort.
The front number-plate was missing, but witnesses suggested there could be a 'P' somewhere in the rear number-plate.
Police said the car had dirty windows and a cracked windscreen in the pattern of a spiderweb. There was a small surfboard sticker on the rear of the car.
The driver was white with brown greasy hair to his chin, with blond streaks possibly highlighted.
He was wearing a white, thigh length, casual jacket, with dirty jeans rolled up at the bottom. He had stubble and was aged about 30. There is no description of the other man.
Summer is described as white, with olive or tanned skin, very small for her age, with long, dark, straight hair which comes down past her waist and brown eyes. She has two teeth missing on the top row.
She is wearing a cerise pink sleeveless dress down to the knee, with green, pink and red flowers on it, red or tan sandals with velcro straps and a pink vest under her dress.
Rescue alert
Sussex Police have now launched their first Child Rescue Alert - a system set up after the Sarah Payne abduction.
An incident room has been set up at Brighton Police Station and dozens of officers from across the county are being drafted in to search for Summer.
A police spokesperson said: "Everything is being done to find Summer. At this time it is believed she has been abducted and therefore her life could be at risk.
"If anyone has seen anything suspicious, or thinks they may have seen this little girl, then please phone police immediately on 999."
Summer was reunited with her parents after 12 hours
Police have begun a criminal investigation into the disappearance of a six-year-old girl who was eventually found at a neighbour's house.
Summer Haipule was said to be distressed when she was found and has been sent for a medical examination at a local hospital.
The girl was reported missing on Monday night after leaving her Bolney Road home in the Moulsecoomb area of Brighton to visit a friend nearby.
Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis said: "Because of the distress that Summer was suffering when she was found, she will be leaving shortly to go for a medical examination.
As a result of initial inquiries, we are now conducting a criminal investigation
Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis
"Our inquiries continue into what took place in the missing hours.
"The occupants of number 20, the premises where Summer was found, are assisting us in piecing together what took place during these missing hours."
A 13-year-old family friend had told police he had seen Summer being dragged into a car outside a fish and chip shop.
A massive police search continued overnight until at 0710 BST on Tuesday a neighbour alerted officers to say she had found the girl asleep under her daughter's bed.
Credible witness
Mr Curtis said: "As a result of initial inquiries, we are now conducting a criminal investigation.
"We cannot tell you more at the moment."
He said no-one had so far been arrested.
Mr Curtis said the police had been right to act on the information given by the 13-year-old boy who became the chief witness.
He said: "We said from the outset that this witness was only 13 but after we questioned him we decided he was a credible witness.
We are so happy. This has been the most dreadful night of our lives
Dragon Haipule, Summer's father
"It does seem bizarre that Summer was only a few doors away but we acted correctly on the information we were given last night.
"We must now be satisfied about what happened in those 12 hours.
"Although it now seems unlikely that Summer was abducted, we need to rule out all possibilities. We will be talking to her in time."
Summer's mother Minday thanked the media and the police for helping to find her daughter.
Speaking outside her home, she said: "Thank you to everyone in the Press for making all this known and thank you to the people of Moulsecoomb who have helped search.
"Thank you so much to everyone."
Summer's father Dragon fought back tears as he said: "We are so happy. This has been the most dreadful night of our lives."
Well at least they've found her now, although what was that kid who said he saw her being bundled into a van was going on about? Just lying for fun or did he really see something?
to put it mildy . . . .Moulsecoomb isnt the most affluent area in Brighton
judging by the amount of breakins and vandalism iuncurred by our old factory (albeit 10 years ago) I'd say the place was largely inhabitted by ruffians rogues and petty villians
I lived in Moulsecoomb for many years and I'm soooo glad I moved out. The 'highlight' was being mugged at knifepoint when I was doing my paper round. I had 2p on me.
I'm intrigued by that little girl's dad's name, Dragon. Do you think it's a misspelling of the Serbo-Croat, Dragan or were his parents really into fantasy games?
I think Moulescoomb stands out because of the murder of the Babes in the Wild Park (70's?) Two little girls were abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered.
(my Mum lived there for a few years before moving to Woodingdean quite a long time ago)
I don't think it is a misspelling. And the surname isn't Serb as far as I know.
I've checked on a few news sites and they have spelt it Dragon not Dragan.