That brings us to the end of the NT Police press conference on the ongoing search for five-year-old Sharon Granites. 

But as always, we'll continue to follow this story closely and keep you updated with any developments. 

Acting Commissioner Malley has ended the press conference by reiterating that police's number one priority remains finding five-year-old Sharon Granites safe and well.

"This is a declared major crime and as such I have got access to all the resources of the Northern Territory Police," he said.

He urged the public to report "any sightings" and any other information people may have.

"Anything, you might think it is small, but it might mean something to us, so please make contact," he said.

Ms Liddle says the community support in searching for the five-year-old girl "has been overwhelming and we're grateful for that support".

She says police now have "enough volunteers and we have enough specialist people on the ground now to assist us."

"But we are asking people to ring with any information that they may have."

Acting Commissioner Malley says Jefferson Lewis was last seen at around 11 o'clock on the Saturday night. 

He says he was "seen with the little girl, holding hands".

NT Police say on the night Sharon went missing, her mother had gone with her to Old Timers town camp to do some washing. 

"Sharon's mum was over there to do some washing, and she knew people there so she was quite welcome in that area," Acting Commissioner Malley said.

Acting Commissioner Malley added that "we believe Jefferson Lewis has led the little girl away". 

He says at this stage, investigators do not have a motive for Sharon's abduction but that Mr Lewis was probably "under the influence of alcohol".

Acting Commissioner Malley says NT Police do believe Sharon Granites is still alive.

"That's why at this stage our number one mission is to  find her safe and well," he said.

"But as you know, as time goes on, the chances of finding her alive and well, reduce, so hence the amount of resources we have present here in Alice Springs."

Acting Commissioner Malley has rejected any suggestion police did not start searching for Sharon early enough.

"The team has done everything within its power," he said.

"It was up and running very, very early, resources here as part of the search are really significant.

"TRG [the Territory Response Group], motorbikes, horses, helicopters, drones, so it's a significant investigation and search."

The NT Police Force's executive director of cultural reform, Leanne Liddle, says Aboriginal trackers have been called on to help in the investigation. 

"We also have the assistance of the volunteers, we've also got the assistance of the land councils."

Acting Commissioner Malley has confirmed Jefferson Lewis had only been out of prison for six days at the time of Sharon's disappearance.  

He says Mr Lewis only had a "loose connection to the family".

 "They just happened to be present together at that location on Saturday night."

Assistant Commissioner Malley says the search for Sharon is "one of the biggest investigations we've had going for a while".

He also says the major crime unit is working with local Alice Springs police and the fugitive task force has been called in. 

"The fugitive task force is inbound at this stage, so they will be here on the ground later this afternoon."