The alarm was raised yesterday when the West African youngsters could not be found, despite all their belongings being left at the site. The remainder could be on their way either to Copenhagen or back home, according to the police.

In press briefings yesterday the police said they were keeping an open mind on whether a crime had been committed or not, but now it seems they have accepted that the youngsters have left the country of their own will.

Jens Nygren, internal commander at Kristianstad police told DN.se. “Someone has talked to them and they said they would get back home to Sierra Leone.”

Meanwhile in a separate incident, fears are growing for a German family that has failed to return to their campsite in Kristianstad. The family of four left early last week on a canoe trip on Lake Immeln, but there has been no sign of them since. They were due to check out of the site on Wednesday but failed to show up, leaving their car and caravan untouched. Police are continuing their search.