POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of two teenage girls who have been missing since Sunday.

Officers have confirmed that they believe that the two Vietnamese girls travelled out of the city on their own accord.

Thi Phan, 15, and 14-year-old Tram Le, originally from Vietnam but now living in the York area, were last seen near York Minster at around 12.30pm on Sunday.

It is believed that the two girls, who had been living in the care of local authorities in York since arriving in the country illegally several months ago, left the city shortly after the last sighting of them in a taxi.

Both girls are around 5ft 2ins tall. Tram Le was last seen wearing a blue and white top and black trousers and Thi Phan was wearing jeans and a baggy shirt however the girls may have changed clothes since then.

Chief Inspector Allan Wescott of North Yorkshire Police, and one of the officers leading the search, said: “We have real concerns about the welfare of both Thi Phan and Tram Le and our main priority is to locate them as quickly, and as safely, as possible.

“We're following a number of lines of enquiry, including one particular strong lead about where they could be, and would like to thank the public and media for their assistance so far.

“We urge the public to keep a look out for the girls and contact us as a matter of urgency if they believe they have seen them, or have any information which could help us to identify their whereabouts.

“This is a priority for us and your call, however insignificant it may seem, could be critical in helping to find them.”

If you have seen the two girls, or have any information which could help the investigation please contact 101 immediately, select option 1 and speak to the Force Control Room.

If you have any immediate sightings of them please call 999.

Please quote reference number 12170120099 when passing on any information.