Missing couple and newborn baby sleeping in tent in sub-zero temperatures, police say

Police searching for a missing couple and their newborn baby believe the family has been sleeping in a tent in sub-zero temperatures. Officers have been trying to find

Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, since their car broke down on the M61 near Bolton on 5 January. Police say they went into an Argos in Whitechapel, in east London,

two days later to buy camping gear. They say Mr Gordon went alone and bought two big bags of items, including a blue two-man tent, sleeping bags and two pillows. The

family was last seen walking along Brick Lane, towards Bethnal Green Road at about 10pm. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said: "We are extremely concerned that a

newborn baby - less than a week old at the time on 7 January - has been exposed to sub-freezing cold temperatures if Mark and Constance have been camping out somewhere as our

evidence suggests. "No child, especially a tiny, newborn baby, should be forced to endure such dangerous, potentially life-threatening, conditions. "This is why it is

absolutely vital that anyone with information about their whereabouts contacts us as a matter of urgency - whether it is with a recent or older sighting. Every piece of

information is crucial to enabling us to find the baby and ensure it is okay. "My officers will continue working tirelessly behind the scenes to piece together the family's

movements and current whereabouts. It could be that they are trying to blend in with homeless communities, either here in London or further afield, or they could be camping in

more rural or wooded areas.