Uncle makes emotional appeal to
find vanished 12-year-old girl Tia

THE uncle of a missing 12-year-old girl has made an emotional appeal for help to find her as police confirmed there has been no sign of her on CCTV so far.

Detectives hunting for Tia Sharp, who went missing on Friday, are sifting through hours of CCTV footage for clues as her family undertake a massive publicity campaign.

Last night her uncle David Sharp urged anyone who knows where she is to come forward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tia was last seen leaving her grandmother’s home in New Addington, south-east London, at around noon on Friday after saying she was going to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon

Police have not found any sign of her. There have been 55 reports of sightings, although none have been confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference at Scotland Yard, Mr Sharp, 28, said: “I just want to say to Tia: I just want you to come home. You’re not in any trouble.

“Anyone who knows where she is or has any information, please come to us or please phone the police.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola, who also appeared at the press conference, said the last person to see Tia was her grandmother’s partner.

“At this stage, it’s a relatively simple timeline as we know,” he said. “She was at her grandmother’s address, she slept late and then she left to get the bus. We’ve had one neighbour who’s reported possibly seeing her walking to the bus stop but as yet that is uncorroborated.”

Mr Sharp added: “Tia’s a 12-year-old normal girl. She has never run away, she’s got no reason to run away. She’s a playful child, she’s not an adult ... but she’s very clued-up in travelling and local areas and people she knows.”

Tia did not have her young person’s travelcard with her but some bus and tram drivers let children travel without one and police have appealed for any who may have seen her to get in touch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Officers believe Tia had a small amount of cash with her, but she did not have her mobile phone.

Mr Sharp was supported by two friends with all three wearing “Missing” T-shirts with appeals to find Tia on them.

Friends and family, supported by an army of local residents, have posted thousands of leaflets across the region as well as maintaining an online campaign via social networking sites. A vigil was organised last night (MON) in New Addington for people to light candles to help publicise the ongoing search.

“I want to say thank you to the police for doing everything that they can, and the public for their support and being out there day and night,” Mr Sharp said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I urge you not to stop, I want Tia found so please do what you’re doing.”

Police have said they are particularly keen to hear from anyone in The Lindens area of New Addington who have information to contact them.

Tia is white, 4ft 5in and slim, and was wearing French Connection FCUK glasses. She was dressed in a yellow vest top over a white bra with visible cross straps, light grey leopard print leggings and black and pink Nike high-top trainers.

She is known to visit the Croydon, Mitcham and Wimbledon areas.

Anyone with information should call Merton police on phone number 101, quoting reference 12MIS025216.

Related topics: