UPDATE: CCTV images released as relatives make heartfelt statement on Slough family who may be heading to Syria

CCTV images have been released of a Slough family who may be heading to Syria preparing to cross the Channel at Dover.

The images were released this afternoon as relatives of Asif Malik made a heartfelt plea for him and his family to return home.

Malik, 31, his partner Sara Kiran, 29, their seven-year-old daughter Zoha Malik and sons Essa Malik, four, Zakariva Malik, two and Yahya Malik, one, were last seen on Tuesday, April 7.

Police are concerned they may be heading for Syria.

It is thought the family boarded a ferry from Dover to Calais, France, at 12.30am on Wednesday, April 8.

In a statement, Asif Malik's family said:

"With the reality that our loved one Asif Malik and his family have left the UK without any notice, our lives have been completely devastated. We are totally distraught, upset and in shock. The greatest sadness is the decision by Asif and Sara to travel with their young family, such beautiful children.

Please Asif, we ask you to think about what has happened and the decisions you have made. Please can you ring us or send us a message to let us know that you and the children are well. All we wish for is your safe return and especially the return of the children. We are not angry with you, we are just heartbroken.

We ask that if there are others out there considering leaving the UK in this manner, please consider the impact on the family members that you leave behind.

We respect the position within the media and realise that they are a true help to such an investigation. We however, as a family, would ask that the media respect our privacy at this tragic time."