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The family of a missing 14-year-old schoolgirl are to sue police over their alleged mishandling of her investigation - weeks after a BBC Crimewatch appeal involving 'new' CCTV from the day she went missing.

Charlene Downes' mum Karen has taken legal action after detectives released the previously unseen footage of her daughter 13 years on from her disappearance – after it was discovered 'hidden' in their own archives all this time.

Her daughter went missing from her home town of Blackpool on Saturday November 1st 2003 - and no trace of her has ever been found.

Two takeaway workers were acquitted of her murder in 2007 after a trial heard her body was chopped up and had 'gone into kebabs'.

It emerged late last year that Lancashire Police only discovered CCTV of the teenager's final movements after a new team of detectives were brought into carry out a case review.

(Image: PA)

Karen claims it was the final straw after a series of alleged failings by the force, which included officers on the original case facing misconduct charges and a damning IPCC report into their investigation methods.

Now she is taking civil action against Lancashire police and is seeking damages and a public apology over their handling of the investigation and the newly discovered footage.

Karen said last night: “This is not about money it is about the principle. It is unbelievable that they have had that footage all those years and never used it.

“It is an absolute disgrace and an insult to the memory of my dead daughter.

(Image: PA)

"Why are they showing that footage all these years later when they could have used it to bring forward witnesses at the time?

"Where has it been kept and what exactly have the police been doing all these years since the trial?

“Maybe If the CCTV was shown at the time I could have got justice years ago and put Charlene to rest but now my pain continues.

"I am absolutely disgusted. Everyday is still a living hell. And instead of helping me the police add to it as they never tell me anything and seem determined to keep me in the dark.”

(Image: Simon Lennon)

Detective Superintendent Andy Webster leading the enquiry into her missing daughter appeared on the BBC1 Crimewatch Live Roadshow last month showcasing the new footage.

In it Charlene can be seen walking with her sister in the city centre in Hey Street and the clothes she was wearing in the footage are the same as when she vanished.

This is now the only confirmed CCTV footage of her on the day she went missing.

But Karen says this is too little too late and that she wasn’t consulted on the fresh appeal.

She also claims police have not been in touch with her about the ongoing investigation for more than seven months.

She added: “I have heard nothing. I only found out about it when a friend who lives miles away rang me. The police couldn’t even be bothered to pick up a phone and let me know. I have lost all faith in them. I never stop missing Charlene that is why I am taking the action.”

In her Letter of Claim to the Lancashire Police force she states that she is taking action under section 7(1) of the Human Rights Act for “violation of investigative duty.”

It details: “Due to the fact that this footage was not found during the initial investigation and was not released to the public. This footage is likely to have had an impact on the investigation back in 2003.”

It added: “If a Potential witness, who might have seen Charlene had an opportunity to see this CCTV footage back in 2003, (s)he might have come forward with some useful information.”

(Image: Lancashire Police)

Karen is suing for compensation and is hoping for a public apology.

To this day, despite a long investigation, numerous media appeals and a £100,000 reward, nobody has ever been brought to justice over her disappearance.

Two takeaway workers were acquitted of her murder in 2007 after a trial heard her body was chopped up and had 'gone into kebabs'.

Kebab shop boss Ilyad Albattikhi was acquitted of Charlene’s murder and his co-defendant was acquitted of helping to dispose of her body after a trial in 2007.

The jury failed to reach a verdict and a later retrial was planned but the CPS dropped this due to lack of evidence.

The main evidence against them consisted of a series of covert recordings which were later found to be flawed due to their handling.

The officer in charge later faced disciplinary proceedings over the case.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission later highlighted a series of shortcomings of the force in a damning 2009 report which said they had failed to keep proper records and used untrained officers.

Since then there have been no new breaks in the case despite the substantial reward for information leading to her body being found or a conviction.

Last night Peter Garsden -President of the Association of Child Abuse lawyers- said victims of abuse need to be taken more seriously.

He said: “Police and Authorities need to be held account for their actions. This case has had a devastating affect on the family of Charlene who was groomed before she went missing. They are quite rightly angry and feel they were let down by the authorities. I

"It is staggering that this CCTV has only recently come to light. People in positions of power need to do more to protect vulnerable children and properly investigate their claim."

Lancashire Police have been contacted for comment.