Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

The Hunts Bay police have been hunting for an 18-year-old girl, who they say was abducted by a gang opposing the section of Seivwright Gardens (Cockburn Pen) where she lives.

Missing since August 11, is Shantey Scarlett, 18, of York Avenue.

Residents say the abduction stemmed from an ongoing feud between opposing gangs from Flinch Crescent, and York Avenue.

"The residents say the gangs who are at odds, banned all females from the opposing side to cross borders...Shantey apparently ignored the opposing gang's warnings, and attended a popular Friday night dance along Flinch Crescent," said Oswald Ayre, the Superintendent in charge of operations at the Hunts Bay Police Station.

several searches

Reports are that some time after midnight, Scarlett was on her way to the dance when a group of men forcibly held her and took her to an unknown location.

Although it has been a month since the girl's alleged abduction, lawmen say they are still hunting for the teen. Police say they have conducted several operations connected to the hunt.

"We have conducted several searches, including countless searches of abandoned buildings. We have received many calls of a body being at places, but when we respond they turn out to be false," said the Divisional Detective Inspector at the Hunts Bay, Altemorth 'Para' Campbell.

Regardless, the police say they have not given up on the search for the missing teen, and are pleading to the public to assist with information that can lead to her rescue.

"They have our numbers. Mine (Det. Ins. Campbell) is 882-4381, and Superintendent Ayre's own is 855-2232, or they can call 923-5626...We are appealing to residents to tell what they know, because the crime you hide today, will haunt you tomorrow," assured Det. Insp. Campbell.