Police continue to appeal for assistance in tracing 12-year-old Tia Sharp who went missing in New Addington on Friday afternoon.

Last Night Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola from Specialist Crime Operations made a statement calling for public help:
"I am investigating the disappearance of 12-year-old Tia Sharp who went missing in New Addington at around midday on Friday, 3 August when she left her grandmother's house in The Lindens to go to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon to buy shoes. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone in The Lindens area who may have seen Tia after midday on Friday.

"Tia was using her mother's mobile phone as hers is broken but left it at her grandmother's house. We understand that she had a small amount of cash with her - around £10.00. She didn't take her Zip card (child Oyster card) with her.

" Tia is white, slim build, 4ft 5in tall and was wearing French Connection glasses. When she left her grandmother's house she was wearing a yellow tube-type top, faded grey skinny jeans/leggings and black boot-type trainers with a pink Nike tick. Her hair was tied back when last seen.

"We are currently examining CCTV - at this time we have found no trace of Tia on the footage examined thus far but this is an ongoing process which will take time. We have spoken to Tia's family and some of her friends and Tia has never gone missing before and it is extremely out of character for her not to return home or contact her friends or family.

"There has been a lot of activity on Twitter from Tia's friends and whilst we would want to ensure that images of Tia and details of her disappearance are spread far and wide we would urge people using social media to include the Incident Room number rather than their personal numbers. We have received a number of purported sightings but none are confirmed as Tia at this time.

" As we head into a third night of searching for Tia, I re-iterate our appeals for anyone who may have seen her, or has information about her, to come forward. Tia didn't have her Zip card with her but I know that some bus and tram drivers do allow children on without it. I am appealing for any bus or tram drivers in the Croydon area who recognise Tia's description to contact us. Of course if Tia herself is able to contact her family or the police, we urge her to do so. An Incident Room has been set up at Sutton police station. Anyone with information about Tia's whereabouts should call 0208 721 4005 or Missing People on 116 000 Thank you."


August 6, 2012