This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19206675#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
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. |
Det Ch Insp Nick Scola said the search "will continue for a day or two". | |
A police helicopter was seen hovering overhead while investigators searched the property. | |
'Sudden' action | |
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. |
Mr Scola, who is leading the investigation, said: "We're here today to carry out a pre-arranged forensic search of the house. | |
"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." |
'Finger pointing' | |
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. 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. | |
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." |