Jim Forrest
Jim Forrest (screengrab) Reuters

The tearful father of fugitive teacher Jeremy Forrest has begged his son to get in touch as the search for missing schoolgirl Megan Stammers continues into its second week.

At a Sussex Police press conference, Jim Forrest said: "Please, please get in contact."

He added there were many "desperate people waiting at home for you".

Ch Insp Jason Tingley of Sussex Police revealed that an officer from the force had travelled to France as part of investigations into finding the missing couple.

A European Arrest Warrant has been issued for maths teacher Forrest, 30, on child abduction charges. Megan, a pupil of his at Bishop Bell School in Eastbourne, East Sussex, is 15.

A number of rumoured sightings of the pair from across Europe were under investigation, police confirmed.

Tingley said he hoped the pair would return home voluntarily soon but added that Forrest had questions to answer.

Doubts about the pace of the inquiry overseas have been raised with Interpol criticised for being slow in publicising the search on its website.

Part of the confusion came from the fact that in France Forrest is not deemed to have broken the law as the age of consent stands at 15.

Tingley refused to give details about what police knew of the pair's relationship before they feld the country together.