POLICE searching for missing Hanwell schoolgirl Alice Gross have reacted to criticism of the search operation with a detailed response.

This is despite an insistence earlier this week that there would be no running commentary on progress of the investigation.

Detectives are in Latvia trying to trace the prime suspect in 14-year-old Alice’s disappearance, builder Arnis Zalkalns.

Commander Graham McNulty said in a statement: “I would like to address some of the misunderstanding and confusion surrounding European Arrest Warrants.

“To obtain an EAW, police must seek the authority of the Crown Prosecution Service to charge the suspect or suspects with an offence.

“The offence must meet one of the tests laid down in the code for crown prosecutors.

"If one of the tests is met, the decision to charge is made by the CPS and the police can then lay the information (the charge) at a magistrates court.

“It is after these steps have been followed that an EAW can be applied for. We have not sought that authorisation.

“I repeat - this is a missing person's enquiry, firmly focused on our search for Alice.

“Arnis Zalkalns is a suspect in her disappearance - he is someone we need to speak to.

“He is one line of this fast-paced and ever-expanding investigation. I stress there is no evidence that Alice has come to harm, but we are clearly very concerned for her welfare.

“I would urge everyone to be cautious about speculating on the exact involvement of Arnis Zalkalns, or any other individual.

“It was a highly unusual step to name a suspect and provide information about his previous arrest and conviction.

“This decision was not made lightly and was based on public safety, seeking the public's help to find him and, most importantly, to find Alice.

“I still need the public's help - we want to find Alice. That has always been the priority for this investigation and it remains the case today.

“The local community of Ealing have shown us great support and patience. I would like to thank them, plus all the people who have contacted the team to give us information to help us in the search for Alice.”

A reconstruction of Alice’s last-known movements is taking place tomorrow (Thursday), with a police cadet playing the part of Alice.