‘Six weeks had handed by the point police opened a lacking individual’s case,’ a member of the family claimed
South Wales Police has confirmed it’s reviewing whether or not it responded appropriately to preliminary reviews about lacking a Cardiff girl who’s now feared useless.
Charlene Hobbs has been lacking since July 2024 and police are actually treating the investigation as homicide. The pressure advised WalesOnline it’s wanting into the way it dealt with the case after Charlene’s household raised issues that officers “ignored” preliminary reviews about her disappearance.
It got here after Charlene’s cousin Dean Hobbs advised WalesOnline she was reported lacking 3 times over a six week interval earlier than an investigation was launched. In an interview this week, which you’ll learn in full right here, Dean stated: “Six weeks had handed by the point police opened a lacking individual’s case which is a very long time. And I feel the rationale for that was due to the individual she was, and the way police considered her. There might have been extra proof accessible if it began earlier.”
In response South Wales Police stated: “South Wales Police acknowledges the issues raised about how earlier lacking individual reviews about Charlene’s whereabouts have been dealt with. We’re reviewing whether or not our response to those reviews was acceptable.”
The pressure went on to explain the present investigation as “complicated and meticulous,” describing the way it has up to now concerned chatting with tons of of individuals and visiting greater than 600 properties.
A spokesman for the pressure shared: “South Wales Police continues to research the disappearance of Charlene Hobbs. Subsequent month (July 24, 2025) marks a yr since Charlene was final seen, and her disappearance is being handled as homicide.
“Up to now the investigation has included: 10 media appeals; 400 folks, linked to the investigation, spoken to; 629 properties visited as a part of house-to-house enquiries along with searches of derelict premises, autos, open land, and waterways; Greater than 1000 hours of private and non-private CCTV reviewed; 3300 plus paperwork recorded [and] a £20k reward from Crimestoppers.
“Additional searches, forensic examinations, and house-to-house enquiries are as a consequence of happen.”
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell, from South Wales Police, stated: “The investigation into the disappearance of Charlene is complicated and meticulous.
“Regardless of an enormous variety of enquiries, that are persevering with, sadly nobody has come ahead with details about what has occurred to Charlene or the place she is.
“We stay dedicated to discovering Charlene and a specialist workforce of officers and workers are centered on the investigation.”
The final confirmed sighting of Charlene is a cell phone {photograph} taken at a property in Broadway, Adamsdown, at 6.07am on July 24, 2024.
The day earlier than, July 23, 2024, Charlene, who has a particular dragon tattoo on her again, was seen on CCTV in Morrisons Native, Adamsdown.
DCI Powell added: “Charlene is a mom, a sister, a daughter, and a buddy to many. We perceive that that is an especially troublesome time and, like us, they’re determined for solutions.
“Charlene’s household are supported by a household liaison officer, and we proceed to speak with them in step with their needs, solely to have contact when there’s a vital improvement.
“If anybody has info, irrespective of how insignificant it may appear, please come ahead not only for us, however for Charlene and her household.”
A forty five-year-old man arrested in reference to the investigation stays on police bail.
Data and video footage reminiscent of from cellphones, CCTV cameras, doorbells or dash-cams may be submitted to South Wales Police by way of this hyperlink: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP24B95-PO1
The pressure can be contacted by dwell chat or calling 101.
South Wales Police emphasised that Charlene’s Crimestoppers attraction generated “robust curiosity”, including: “Any info shared has been handed on to the investigation workforce.
“Even the smallest piece of intelligence may be important in serving to us transfer ahead.
“We proceed to induce anybody with info to talk up anonymously by Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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