Police took SEVEN DAYS to raise alarm on three kids aged 3, 5, 6, snatched by dad from foster home at knifepoint
COPS took seven days to raise the alarm over three kids snatched from their foster home at knifepoint by their dad as they played in the garden.
Imran Safi, 26, burst into the home in Coulsdon, South London, on August 20.
Today, a week later, the Metropolitan Police launched a public appeal to find the dad and his kids.
Last Thursday the children's foster mum heard footsteps behind her and saw Safi armed with a knife.
He snatched Bilal, six, Ebrar, five, and three-year-old Yaseen before fleeing in a red Nissan Qashqai.
The foster mum wasn't injured in the horror ordeal but was left "shaken".
A huge search involving hundreds of officers has been launched – with cops believing Afghan national Safi may have fled the country with the boys.
Poliec have not said why it took seven days to make public an appeal, but admitted a lack of sightings may have allowed Safi to leave the UK and travel to Pakistan, where he has links.
But there are also fears the children could be "stashed" away somewhere in London by their dad.
An immediate port alert was issued after the alarm was raised – with Safi's picture sent to all borders as part of the "enormous operation".
The dad, who has been given indefinite leave to remain in Britain, does not have the children's' passports.
Scotland Yard say they concerned over the boys' "welfare" but do not believe there is an immediate risk to their physical safety.
Detectives are now working closely with national and international agencies to ensure any movement into foreign countries is identified.
Two women and six men who are all members of Safi's family have been arrested and later released on bail.
How you can help
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the three children and Safi can get in touch with police.
People with dashcam footage who saw Safi's red Nissan are also asked to contact cops.
Call the investigation control room on 07942599374 – this number is operational 24 hours a day seven days a week.
The Met have warned not to approach Safi but to call the above number or 999 immediately quoting crime reference number 6143/20AUG20.
Safi was last seen on Thursday in the Nissan on Coulsdon Road at around 6pm.
The car is understood to have been found “very recently” but with no sign of the dad or his sons.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Commander Jon Savell said one "trigger" for the kidnapping is the three children were due to be formally adopted.
The dad had regular visits with the children still, the Met confirmed.
Their mum is still in the UK and police have been in contact with her.
Commander Savell, said "an intense investigation" is underway involving British officers and the authorities abroad.
Eight arrests made so far
All those arrested are members of Safi’s family.
A 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were arrested in Kenley, south London, last Friday.
Three men – two aged 20 and one aged 17 – were arrested in Croydon on Sunday.
A 25-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were arrested in Kenley on Tuesday.
A 33-year-old man was arrested in Croydon, also on Tuesday.
All have been released on bail.
He added: “Our absolute priority at this moment in time is the welfare of these three children.
"They have been taken from a place of safety and we are growing increasingly concerned about their wellbeing, particularly as we remain in the midst of a global health crisis.
"While we do not believe at this time there is any immediate risk to their physical safety, their location, access to accommodation, healthcare, and other provisions is entirely unknown. We are concerned about the longer term impact of this on all three children."
Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Commander of the South Area Basic Command Unit, said: "This incident involved the use of a weapon and violence and we are incredibly concerned for these three young, vulnerable children who are now being hidden by an individual who may be armed with a knife.
"We know there are people with detailed knowledge of the whereabouts of these children, and we fully appreciate there may be very good reasons for those individuals not wanting to come forward.
"But right now I would strongly urge them to do the right thing and assist us in locating them.”
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