Campaign to find missing Indian teen in UK

There is growing concern over the safety of an Indian student who disappeared a week ago on his way to school in Britain's Reading town, where a public campaign has been launched to help find him.

Goa-origin Jonathan Marques, 15, moved to Britain three years ago with his parents, but was reportedly keen to return to Goa. His parents have made tearful public appeals for information about him.

Jonathan was last seen on January 6 on his way to the Blessed Hugh Faringdon School.

His father, Menino Marques, has urged people to put up the campaign poster wherever possible. The poster has a picture of Jonathan.

The local police and the media are supporting the campaign while volunteers search for Jonathan in Reading and nearby areas. An emotional Marques said his family was desperate to hear the sound of Jonathan's voice.

He said: "He must come back. We love him. We miss him. We are waiting to embrace him. He is not in any trouble. We just want him back. We have been waiting to hear his voice on the phone, or for him to ring on the doorbell."

Search and rescue teams have been scouring wasteland for clues to the teenager's whereabouts. Berkshire search & rescue dogs and south east Berkshire emergency volunteers have also teamed up with police to comb the area next to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Members of Reading and Swindon Goan community, wearing T-shirts printed with Jonathan's picture, have also been distributing leaflets to houses, knocking on doors and displaying posters in shop windows in Southcote.

The police is examining hours of CCTV footage from shops and railway stations in the hope of shedding some light on his movements.

Chief superintendent Richard Bennett said: "The most likely explanation is that he has decided to run away or he's been staying somewhere.

"But if he is trying to stay out in the open in these conditions obviously we are concerned for his welfare. The longer this goes on, the more worried we become."