Detective Chief Inspector Mark Ling, who led the investigation, spoke after the Jeremy Forrest guilty verdict.

He said: "Jeremy Forrest has today been found guilty of child abduction. As a teacher he was in a position of responsibility, authority and trust over the children in his care, which included this 15-year-old vulnerable victim.

"Jeremy Forrest grossly abused the trust placed in him. His actions caused distress and anxiety amongst parents, family members and a school community.

"An investigation was started the moment concerns were reported to Sussex Police and did not stop until we knew that she was returned home safely.

"This case attracted significant national and international attention which put huge pressures on the girl's family at what was already a distressing time.

"Despite this her family remained strong and supportive of the police investigation and assisted the search for her by making appeals to the public and media.

"She and her family have continued to display great courage throughout the court case and we hope they can now start to put this behind them.

"This was a complex and fast moving investigation which needed the force to work closely with British and French law enforcement agencies, as well as the girl's family and the school, to bring them home safely.

"I would like to thank the witnesses in this case in particular the young people from Bishop Bell School who gave evidence during the trial."