In the hours since the story was first published, a body believing to be the missing girl has been found. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and image of a person who has died. The family has asked for her to be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.

On Saturday night, a five-year-old girl – whose family has asked be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby – was allegedly abducted from a home in a town camp and is still missing.

Northern Territory Police allege she was abducted by Jefferson Lewis. The 47-year-old had only been released from prison several days earlier and was staying at the same address as Kumanjayi Little Baby.

It is already “one of the biggest” manhunts in recent NT history and made even more difficult by the fact Lewis doesn’t have much of a digital footprint.

So, what police tactics are available in these situations?

‘Going back to 1930s policing’

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said police believed there are people in the local community who may know of Lewis’ whereabouts. Police said Lewis was not on bail or subject to any conditions when the alleged abduction took place.

Police found several personal items at a crime scene at the town camp, which were sent for forensic testing.

Dole said the hunt was “the biggest one I can recall in a very long time”. He added:

We’ve got specialist sections here, we’ve got assistance from interstate, we’ve had offers from interstate all over the other jurisdictions, we’ve got inquiries happening in other jurisdictions, and we’re pouring every available resources down here to assist. And overwhelming support from the community as well.

We’ve got specialist........

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