Cleo Smith found: WA Police acting Commissioner Col Blanch says investigation will now ‘start again’

WA Police acting Commissioner Col Blanch said now little Cleo Smith had been found, the investigation into her disappearance would “start again”.

Cleo was rescued by WA police from a house in Carnarvon just before 1am on Wednesday, after police “intelligence” led officers to the home.

Mr Blanch told The West Live’s host Ben O’Shea that now Cleo had been found alive and well, the work to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” would begin to make sure the person responsible was held to account.

“The investigation into what has happened from now really has started again, because we’ve got Cleo, you know, she is alive and well,” he told O’Shea.

“Now we’ve got to make sure we dot the i’s and cross the t’s, do everything according to law and thoroughly and make sure we put together a good brief of evidence, if there is one, to hold the person accountable for what has happened.”

Mr Blanch was full of praise for the more than 100 police officers and intelligence analysts who helped bring the missing four-year-old home safely.

“We had to juggle trying to find Cleo in a hurry versus doing our job steady wins the race, looking through each and every piece of information we collected and that is exactly what we did,” he said.

“You know, a little piece of information turns into a lot rapidly when you have a lot that can be connected and that was good old-fashioned police and intelligence work and it is an amazing outcome for Ellie and Jake, the family, WA Police force, the broader community of Western Australia and in particular the community of Carnarvon.”

“I’ve got full praise for Detective Supt Rod Wilde and the entire task force team with 100 officers and intelligence analysts. Just an amazing, amazing moment I law enforcement history of Australia

• Live blog: All the details on how the WA girl was found ‘alive and well’
• Ellie Smith shares incredible news her daughter has been found
• Neighbours heard crying from Carnarvon home where missing girl was found

The 36-year-old man arrested over Cleo’s disappearance is being held by police and has been flown back to Perth for further questioning.

Mr Blanch said while he had not personally spoken to Cleo’s parents, his officers were the ones who called Ellie Smith and Jake Gliddon to deliver the incredible news.

He said that he felt a huge amount of empathy and relief for the family, who now have their little girl back home, where she belongs.

“I couldn’t imagine walking through their shoes as parents what they have gone through the past 18 days.”

Police forensics have now arrived at the Carnarvon house where Cleo was found, with officers seen setting up a marquee in preparation of a thorough search of the property, which is just 3km from Cleo’s family home.

Police unloaded a trailer full of evidence bags, cameras and other equipment to aid in the collection of evidence, while workmen watched on, saying they could not believe they had been metres away from the missing four-year-old.