( CNN ) The family of a girl who UK police say may be headed to Syria with two friends have a message for her : We 're not mad at you , and please come home . UK police said 15-year-old Shamima Begum and two other London girls took a flight to Istanbul from London Gatwick Airport on Tuesday . Their families have reported them missing , and London 's Metropolitan Police say the girls are believed to be heading to Syria , where militant groups and government forces are locked in a war , and parts of which have been taken over by the Islamist terror group ISIS . `` We miss you terribly and are extremely worried about you , '' Shamima 's family said in a statement that Metropolitan Police released Saturday . `` Please , if you hear this message , get in touch and let us know you are safe . We want you home with us . You belong at home with us . `` Syria is a dangerous place and we do n't want you to go there . Get in touch with the police and they will help to bring you home . You are not in any trouble . '' The family said it understands that Shamima has strong feelings about wanting to help those she believes are suffering in Syria . `` You can help from home , you do n't have to put yourself in danger , '' the statement reads . `` Please do n't cross the border . Please come home to us . Our Mum needs you home and is really worried . We are not mad at you , we love you . '' Police said Shamima might be traveling under the name of 17-year-old Aklima Begum . Shamima is traveling with Kadiza Sultana , 16 , and a third girl whose name police withheld at her family 's request . On Friday , police released pictures of the three girls walking together through Gatwick Airport , carrying travel bags . Police say they are close friends who went to the same East London school . `` We are extremely concerned for the safety of these young girls and would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to police . Our priority is the safe return of these girls to their families , '' Metropolitan Police Cmdr . Richard Walton said Friday . `` We are reaching out to the girls using the Turkish media and social media in the hope that Shamima , Kadiza and their friend hear our messages , hear our concerns for their safety and have the courage to return now , back to their families who are so worried about them . '' UK police are concerned about the number of girls and young women trying to head to areas of Syria controlled by ISIS , Walton said . `` It is an extremely dangerous place , and we have seen reports of what life is like for them and how restricted their lives become , '' he said . CNN 's Laura Smith-Spark and Laura Perez Maestro contributed to this report .
`` We are not mad at you , we love you , '' missing girl 's family says . Comment: They flew together Tuesday to Istanbul in Turkey , police say .