Home

Cleo Smith search: Police collect CCTV from houses and businesses along North West Coastal Highway

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
VideoCleo Smith's family have given an emotional interview saying she'd never wander off alone.

Forensic officers have been collecting CCTV evidence from houses and business that could have captured the mystery car seen leaving the Blowholes campground on the morning Cleo Smith vanished.

Officers stopped at several businesses and homes along North West Coastal Highway — just a few kilometres from the centre of Carnarvon — after receiving calls that they might have vision that can help the investigation.

Witnesses reported seeing a car turning south off Blowholes Road, headed for Carnarvon, between 3am and 3.30am on Saturday October 16. Cleo disappeared from her family’s tent between 1.30am and 6am that morning.

Police Forensics obtain footage from businesses up and down North West Coastal Highway on Monday morning.
Camera IconPolice Forensics obtain footage from businesses up and down North West Coastal Highway on Monday morning. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Detective Supt. Rod Wilde of the major crime division revealed the “very recent development” in the missing four-year-old’s case at a press conference in Perth on Sunday.

People from across the Carnarvon community have come forward with footage and have been offering to provide police with help and support.

Missing girl Cleo Smith, 4.
Camera IconMissing girl Cleo Smith, 4. Credit: Facebook / Ellie Smith/Facebook / Ellie Smith

It comes after police revealed audio of Cleo was recorded on a single CCTV camera at a beach shack, located just 20m from where she was staying, the day before she vanished.

The motion-sensitive camera faces the front of the shack, capturing a wide shot of anyone who enters or exits the beach home. It also records audio.

Police confirmed on Sunday that Cleo was heard on the camera and that it had helped them place the little girl at the campground prior to her disappearance.

The CCTV camera that has crucial footage of the tent on the day, night and morning of the disappearance of Cleo Smith.
Camera IconThe CCTV camera that has crucial footage of the tent on the day, night and morning of the disappearance of Cleo Smith. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

On Monday, Cleo’s mum and stepfather posted heart-breaking Instagram stories pleading for their little girl to be returned home.

Stepdad Jake Gliddon shared an image of the missing poster — which offers a $1 million reward for any information on Cleo’s disappearance — in his first post since the little girl went missing.

While Cleo’s mum Ellie also shared an image of the poster, followed by photos of the missing toddler with her baby sister Isla Mae, saying ‘we all need her home’ and asking ‘where are you baby’, before calling her ‘the best sister ever’.

The mother of missing four-year-old Cleo Smith has made another emotional plea for her daughter’s return — and shared heartbreaking photos of the little girl with her baby sister.
Camera IconThe mother of missing four-year-old Cleo Smith has made another emotional plea for her daughter’s return — and shared heartbreaking photos of the little girl with her baby sister. Credit: Instagram/Instagram

Police are still calling for video and dashcam footage from anyone who has been within a 1000km radius of the campsite around the time of Cleo’s disappearance.

They are especially interested in any vision taken from:

  • Motel check-ins and communal areas
  • Service stations
  • Truck stops and free camping areas
  • Fast food outlets and bakeries
  • Children’s clothing stores
  • Pharmacies and cosmetic stores
  • Camping stores

Anyone with footage that may assist the investigation can upload it here.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails