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Tia Sharp hunt: Police seal off grandmother's home Tia Sharp hunt: Police seal off grandmother's home
(40 minutes later)
Police investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Tia Sharp have sealed off an area around her grandmother's home in south London.Police investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Tia Sharp have sealed off an area around her grandmother's home in south London.
Tia, 12, vanished after leaving the property in New Addington, Croydon, to go shopping a week ago.Tia, 12, vanished after leaving the property in New Addington, Croydon, to go shopping a week ago.
About 20 uniformed officers arrived at Christine Sharp's house at lunchtime and cordoned off an alleyway as part of the planned forensic search.About 20 uniformed officers arrived at Christine Sharp's house at lunchtime and cordoned off an alleyway as part of the planned forensic search.
Earlier, Mrs Sharp said she believed Tia was not missing by choice. Det Ch Insp Nick Scola said the search "will continue for a day or two".
A police helicopter was seen hovering overhead during the search in which investigators wearing blue suits were seen entering the property. A police helicopter was seen hovering overhead while investigators searched the property.
Earlier, officers also entered the house with a police dog for about 30 minutes. 'Sudden' action
Mrs Sharp was driven away by officers and bags of evidence were removed. She was not arrested. Earlier, officers with a police dog spent about 30 minutes in the house.
Mrs Sharp was driven away by police and bags of evidence were removed. She was not arrested.
Members of the public were previously able to walk past the terraced house but access has now been restricted.Members of the public were previously able to walk past the terraced house but access has now been restricted.
The police cordon now prevents anyone from getting within about 100 yards of the home.The police cordon now prevents anyone from getting within about 100 yards of the home.
BBC News Correspondent Ben Ando, who was at the scene, said: "It's not clear whether the police are acting on any intelligence or whether this is a routine step they might make in a case of this kind. Mr Scola, who is leading the investigation, said: "We're here today to carry out a pre-arranged forensic search of the house.
"We don't know whether that dog picked up any scent of significance - however it was quite sudden the way the police sealed this area off. "I've just liaised with the scene of crime manager and the search will continue for a day or two at least."
But BBC News Correspondent Ben Ando, who was at the scene, said: "It was quite sudden the way the police sealed this area off.
"In effect the the entire block of about a dozen homes has been completely sealed off.""In effect the the entire block of about a dozen homes has been completely sealed off."
'Relentless search' 'Finger pointing'
Speaking earlier on Friday, Mrs Sharp, 46, said: "I don't know where she has gone. I don't know how she's gone. She's not staying away by choice - I know this. Speaking earlier on Friday, Mrs Sharp, 46, said: "I don't know where she [Tia] has gone. I don't know how she's gone. She's not staying away by choice - I know this.
"My only message to Tia is that I love her.""My only message to Tia is that I love her."
Mrs Sharp's partner Stuart Hazell, 37, was believed to be the last person to see Tia and has since been questioned by police as a witness.Mrs Sharp's partner Stuart Hazell, 37, was believed to be the last person to see Tia and has since been questioned by police as a witness.
Mrs Sharp said her partner had "had it hard".Mrs Sharp said her partner had "had it hard".
"He knows the finger has been pointed at him," she added. "He knows the finger has been pointed at him. He knows this and it's been really hard for him."
"He knows this and it's been really hard for him." Meanwhile police are due to hand out flyers on the tram and bus routes that serve New Addington in south London.
The BBC understands Mrs Sharp was at work on a night shift when Tia arrived to stay at the house.
According to Mr Hazell, Tia next left the home to go shopping before vanishing.
Meanwhile police have vowed to search "relentlessly" for the missing schoolgirl.
They are due to hand out flyers on the tram and bus routes that serve New Addington, in south London.
Commander Christine Jones from the Metropolitan Police said an intense search was continuing and thanked the public for their support.Commander Christine Jones from the Metropolitan Police said an intense search was continuing and thanked the public for their support.
"Obviously we are exploiting every piece of information coming in and all we would say is if you have any information please, please call us."Obviously we are exploiting every piece of information coming in and all we would say is if you have any information please, please call us.
"We will continue to search relentlessly for her.""We will continue to search relentlessly for her."
Speaking on Thursday, Tia's uncle David Sharp said: "Everyone is trying to do their best by sticking together and keeping everything tight and supporting each other.Speaking on Thursday, Tia's uncle David Sharp said: "Everyone is trying to do their best by sticking together and keeping everything tight and supporting each other.
"I don't know what has happened to Tia. I don't want anyone to think the worst has happened to Tia.""I don't know what has happened to Tia. I don't want anyone to think the worst has happened to Tia."
In a message to her, he said: "Come home. There is no trouble. Walk through that door."In a message to her, he said: "Come home. There is no trouble. Walk through that door."