Three Indian women cricketers who disappeared on a tour of England could be in the Bradford area, say police.

Five players of the team from Jalandhar in the Punjab vanished two weeks ago just three days after arriving in Britain. Police in India, who are investigating allegations of people-smuggling, believe their disappearances are linked.

Two of the players have now returned to the house where the team were staying in Hounslow, London. But Mandeep Virk, 19, Baljeet Kaur, 22, and 21-year-old Ekta Andotra are still missing.

The tour was arranged by Indian businessman Ravi Sharma, 52, who organises sporting tours of Britain. Mr Sharma has previously used the offices of an unconnected travel company in Leeds Road, Bradford, to arrange trips.

Sergeant Vince Harte, of the Missing Persons Unit at Hounslow Police, appealed for anyone in the Bradford area with information about the missing women to contact him on 0208 247 6224. He said: "We know nothing about their family structures. There is no guarantee they are still in London. They could be anywhere in the country, including the Bradford area."

Sgt Harte said the women's disappearance was being treated as a missing person's inquiry.

"Their visas do not run out until September 10, so there are no offences being investigated.

"But we are concerned for their safety and welfare. It may have started out as an adventure and pre-planned but things can go pear-shaped and there is no saying they are wherever they are of their own free will."

Sgt Harte said he had interviewed, through interpreters, the two women who returned but they refused to co-operate about where they had been. Their families in India have also refused to speak to the Metropolitan Police.

Indian police are investigating allegations of people-smuggling and say the women's tour appears to be the first time cricket has been used for that purpose. They want to question Mr Sharma and have raided his home in India.

But Sgt Harte dismissed claims from India that Mr Sharma was involved in people-smuggling.

He said: "I have spoken to him at great length and I have been happy with his help and co-operation.

"There are all sorts of allegations from India that he is involved but I am not making those suggestions. He seems shell-shocked by the girls' disappearance and I have no criticisms of him."

Mr Sharma denied the allegations and claimed the girls' parents had blamed him after they were contacted by the Indian authorities. He told a newspaper: "These are false stories about me. They made up these lies. I have a good reputation back home as an honest man and a good coach. I just want the other three girls back so that we can all return home together."

Mr Sharma used the offices of Prime Travel and Tours in Leeds Road to organise his sporting tours after he was introduced to its boss, Prem Grover, two years ago.

But Mr Grover has not seen Mr Sharma for 18 months.