CONCERN is growing for three teenage girls who have gone missing from the North-East and believed to be the victims of people trafficking.
Mei Fang Weng, 15, and 16-year-olds Xiu Ming Lin and Yun Jen He arrived in Newcastle from China on March 27.
They haven't been seen or heard from since, leading to fears that they may have been coerced into travelling to London and forced into prostitution.
Juliet Singer, of the National Missing Persons Helpline, said: "There has to be great concern for these young Chinese girls.
Missing: Xiu Mong Lin
"We believe they have made the journey to be used as prostitutes in the grim world that surrounds trafficking.
"These girls could suffer long term, both physically and mentally, from the abuse that may follow their disappearance.
"Not only that, they are missing from their families, who may have no idea of their distress or whereabouts."
The girls' disappearance comes after the National Missing Persons Helpline launched its trafficking helpline, in response to the problem. It can be contacted on 0808 800 70 70.
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