Oh no. Not another little Madeleine.

I was watching this on the news this morning I do hope that she is found safe and well but this seems to be a story we hear about all to often,lets hope we have a good outcome with this, heartfelt sympathy to her family who must be out of their mind with worry for her safety.

They say children don't have enough freedom to play outside these days. But can you wonder at it?

I hadn't heard this, how awful for the family.I agree jingle, parents are told to give their children more freedom, but how can they when things like this happen?

But it was very nearly dark here last night at 19.00 when they say she got into the van and she is only five. Probably a close knit community so parents thought she would be ok at that time?

Wasn't she playing with other children too?

There was certainly at least one other child with her, who apparently said April had got into the van willingly.

Yes at least one other playmate was with her at the time but little ones that age are so trusting aren't they,I spoke to DD this am and we agreed that DGD who is a few years older than this little girl would at that age not be able to stop herself if someone asked her to look at a small kitten/pup in a van,with it being a very small community the parents probably thought they where safe playing so near to their homes.

This came on the radio on the way to school this morning and the two GC 6 & 4 overheard and asked where the little girl gone had gone, so I had to give them the 'dont go with stranger talk', but how do you know that if something as terrible as this was to happen if warning them they would make them more aware.

My thoughts are with the poor little soul that she may come home safe and sound, her parents and the anguish they will be going through.

It's just over 10 years since the Soham murders. You'd have thought two 10-year olds, together, in a small village just a few yards from their home would have been safe. I do hope she's found safe and well, poor little mite.

Can only add my agreement to what others have said. It breaks my heart to think of her being frightened and wanting her Mum. I pray she is found well and unharmed.

How do you warn a small child not to go with strangers without making them paranoid - it must be very difficult.

I can remember this being drummed into me when I was a child to such an extent that I trusted no-one, even when a friend of my father's who I knew well, stopped and offered me a lift to school - I wouldn't get in the car.

This is unbearable - every parent's worst nightmare.

Poor child. Poor parents.

I do hope they find her safe and well. Her family must be going through hell .

It must be a living nightmare for the little one's parents. We can't begin to imagine what it must be like for an innocent child.

They've arrested a 46-year-old man, according to breaking news.

It is an awful situation, but I can't help thinking that a 5 year old should have been at home at 7pm in the evening at this time of year.

All prayers and good wishes that she is found safe and well.

I was hopeful that as they had arrested someone they had found her, but I am afraid not. The police have roadblocks on the roads leading into the small town nearby - I just hope and pray that April is found safe and well.

They have found an abandoned van, though.

I can't bear this - not another child. The thought of a little girl so frightened and wanting her mum, is harrowing. I hope she's found alive and well very quickly.

It's a very sad situation and I hope she is found quickly and unharmed. I am thinking along the same lines as phoenix that a 5 year old child should be safe at home at 7pm on an Autumn evening.

Thank you Sook , I was starting to think that my ideas might be totally out of date, but surely for a little one of that age, and (presumably) going to school, it might be something along the lines of tea/supper whatever you call your evening meal at around 5 or 6 pm. followed by a little tv, then bath, jamas, story and bed?

My 6 yr old twin GDs have to be in bed by 7.30 otherwise they're tired and grumpy next day! They certainly wouldn't be playing out at 7 on a school night, but that's just DD (and me!). I dare say the child's parents will never forgive themselves as it is, so I'm trying not to be judgemental.

Are the police looking for anyone else? If not! I fear the worst.

The awful thing is I think that she didn't get into a car with a stranger but with someone whom she knew as he was acquainted with her parents. Have I got this right?