Search for missing five-year-old in outback town

Concerns are mounting as the search for a missing girl in a rural town enters its second day.

The girl, Sharon, was reported missing from her home after being deposited at the Old Timers Aboriginal village camp in Alice Springs at around 1.30am on Sunday.

A search involving around 50 police officers, Northern Territory Emergency Service staff and a police helicopter failed to find him on Sunday and the search will continue into the early hours of Monday.

Acting Detective Superintendent Michael Ordelman told reporters Sharon may have left her home, but police were not ruling out suspicious circumstances.

He said because of the length of time Sharon had been missing, police had “increased concerns” about her safety.

Supt Ordelman said the town camp was on the banks of the Todd River, where it was easy for a child to get lost.

He said police were unable to find other members of the camp.

“We’re not saying it’s despicable, but as I said, we’re not ruling anything out,” he said.

Police have appealed for anyone to contact them with any information that could lead to Sharon being found.

The NT Police Tactical Response Group was expected to travel to Alice Springs on Monday morning to assist.