Missing schoolgirl, 12, found after she vanished and refused to tell parents where she was

A runaway Manchester schoolgirl who refused to tell her parents where she went has been found, cops confirmed.

Greater Manchester Police told MailOnline just after 8.30pm on Friday night that Nikola Smitlova, 12, was ‘safe and well’.

The force had issued an urgent appeal and said it was concerned for Nikola’s safety earlier on Friday.

Nikola Smitlova had told her parents she is safe, but refused to reveal her location

Nikola, from Middleton in north Manchester, was last spotted on Brightman St in Gorton, on the other side of the city.

But when contacted by MailOnline, PC Helen McNeill replied that Nikola was found and is ‘safe and well’.

Constable McNeill added a thumbs-up emoji.

Greater Manchester Police said it would not be offering any more details.

It had suspected Nikola was staying with friends, but lacked any more details.

She had made contact with her family to say she’s safe but wouldn’t reveal her location, according police.

The force wrote via Facebook:  ‘She is described as a white female, 5ft tall , slim build, with ginger hair (she has dyed it recently) at the top and brown at the bottom.

‘It’s long in length and tied into a ponytail. 

Nikola, 12, was last seen on Brightman Street in Gorton, south-eastern Manchester yesterday

‘She was last seen wearing a grey jumper, light blue jeans, high top blue trainers with grey areas.

‘We believe she is staying with friends but have no details of Nikola’s friends.

‘Nikola has made contact with family so we know she is safe but will not disclose her location.’