Sri Lankan and other scouts missing in Britain: police

LONDON, Aug 9, 2007 (AFP) - Thirteen scouts who came to Britain for the 100th annivesary of the international youth movement have disappeared, police said Thursday.

"Since the start of the Jamboree, we've had 13 people reported missing," an Essex Police spokesman said, referring to the centenary celebrations of scouting that took place in Chelmsford, east of London, last month.

"They've been reported missing at various stages and not all have attended the event.

Some have gone missing immediately after arriving in the United Kingdom.

"We are concerned for their safety and welfare but there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding them. They are all here legally." The children and young people are from countries including Bangladesh, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Nigeria and aged between 12 and 24, he added.