LONDON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Police in Britain privately expressed pessimism Monday the search for a missing West Yorkshire girl would have a positive outcome.
Shannon Matthews, 9, was last seen seven days ago when she left Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury after participating in a swim meet, The Times of London reports.
Police were examining CCTV footage of the meet at the Dewsbury Sports Center in hopes of finding some clues to her disappearance.
During the weekend, police drivers were summoned to dredge up the contents of a small lake near Shannon's home.
Since she disappeared authorities have received more than 300 calls from the public and searched more than 200 homes within a half-mile radius of her school.
Barry South of the West Yorkshire Police, says he is "gravely concerned" about finding her.
Privately police are saying they suspect Shannon is dead.
