Sussex Police made a public appeal for a missing girl to contact officers today (Thursday 24 August).
The force said: “Police have made a direct appeal to a teenager who regularly goes missing to get in touch to talk to them and other agencies who are trying to help her.
“Sixteen-year-old Jenny Doyle left her home in Peacehaven at 5pm on Monday (21 August) saying that she was going to see friends in the town but she does not appear to have met up with them.
“However, it is believed that she is with a 19-year-old man from Brighton, a regular companion.”
Sergeant Lynda Lynch, from Sussex Police’s missing persons team, said: “Jenny has been missing on several occasions before and generally heads for Brighton where it seems she meets up with people she knows.
“However, along with others who are trying to help her, we are concerned about her vulnerability given her age and the fact that we don’t know exactly who she is associating with beyond her regular companion and whether she may be at risk from those associations.
“I’m appealing to her directly to get in touch so that we can make sure that she’s safe and can talk about the best way forward for her.
“She is not in trouble but if she doesn’t want to talk to police, there are others who are willing to help and support her.”
Sussex Police said: “Jenny is white, 5ft 9in, of slim build, with shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes.
“She was last seen wearing a baby pink suede jacket, a black top that is criss-crossed at the front, dark jeans and white trainers.
“She has a handbag, possibly light grey in colour, and was wearing large hooped earrings.
“Anyone who has seen her is asked to report online or ring 101 quoting serial 1522 of 21/08.”