Thames Valley Police is appealing for information to help trace a family of six who have been reported missing and may be making their way to Syria.

The missing people are a family from Slough and include Asif Malik, aged 31, his partner Sara Kiran, aged 29, and their four children Zoha Malik, aged seven (girl), Essa Malik, aged four (boy), Zakariva Malik aged two (boy), and Yahya Malik aged one (boy).

The family were all last seen on Tuesday, April 7. They were reported missing to police on Thursday (16/4).

They left Slough without mentioning any holiday or travel plans to family members, which is entirely out of character for this family.

Through investigations it has been established that the family boarded a ferry from Dover to Calais, France, at 00.30am on Wednesday, April 8.

Further enquiries suggest that the family have then travelled south through Europe, possibly by train.

Police also believe the family may have travelled through Budapest, Hungary, on or around Sunday, April 12.

Thames Valley Police is concerned the family may be seeking to travel to Syria.

John Campbell, Thames Valley Police acting deputy chief constable, said: “We are extremely concerned for the safety of this family, especially the four young children.

"We are reaching out to Asif and Sara, in the hope that they hear our messages and we encourage them to make contact with us so we can return them safely to their families who are extremely worried about them.

“We would urge anyone with information about the family’s whereabouts to come forward and speak to police so the family can safely return to the UK.

"Anyone with information should call Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting reference number 342 (19/4).

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could help the UK or European authorities to locate the family so that they can be safely returned home to their loved ones.

“We are concerned about anyone who has or is intending to travel to the part of Syria that is controlled by the terrorist group calling themselves Islamic State. It is an extremely dangerous place and not a place where young children should be taken.

"Asif and Sara need to know their family are very concerned and want them to return to the UK.

“Anyone with any information about where the family are should call Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting reference number 342 (19/4).

“Anyone who is concerned that a family member may be contemplating travelling to Syria should contact police and partners via the free phone Anti-Terrorist Hotline number on 0800 789 321 or from outside the UK by calling 0044 1865 841 148 so that we can intervene and help.

"This is not about criminalising people it is about preventing tragedies by offering support to the young and vulnerable.”