Media speculates on what has happened to missing Tia Sharp
TIA Sharp is missing. She was last seen on Friday August 3rd in New Addington Croydon, at her grandmother’s house. Tia Sharp lives in Pollards Hill, Merton. She’s 12. Tia Sharp left her grandmother’s home to buy flip-flops from the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. Her grandmother, 46, says Tia had just £10 on her. She carried no mobile phone.
The media react:
The Daily Mail stokes fear without fact:
Last night local residents claimed on Facebook that a white van or car had been recently seen in the area and had attempted to abduct a child within the last couple of days. Detectives said they had no knowledge of any attempted abduction previously in the area, although they could not rule out the possibility.
The London Evening Standard works that theory:
Sightings have been reported of a man driving a white van bothering children in the New Addington area – where Tia was last sighted. Although Police are unable to substantiate the claims, DCI Nick Scola said that it is one line of inquiry.
Is it? Are they investigating a white van man? The police have issued no appeal to that effect.
On Tia, the Daily Express reports:
Tia’s aunt Jasmine Hart tweeted: “Hey guys I really need your help! She’s very smart and old enough to know how to get around and was given money to buy shoes. It is unlikely that she ran away as it is completely out of character which is why this has become so serious. If you see her or know something, call the police immediately. Please help!”
Tia’s mother Natalie, 30, tells media:
“I love and miss my little girl. My daughter is not a runaway.”
Tia’s father David Niles adds:
“Our family is heartbroken. We are at our wits’ end. We are not good at the moment. Thanking ‘everyone who has come out and been there to help us. Please keep on searching for my little girl.”
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola appeals:
“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.”
What of the hunt? The Daily Mirror sums up the news:
Desperate appeals have been reposted on Twitter by Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James, Jessie J, Coleen Nolan, Arlene Phillips and Stan Colleymore
Don’t panic if you read the Surrey Comet:
A father whose own daughter went missing in 2007 has appealed for anyone with information about Tia Sharp to come forward. Mr Phillips, who used to live in New Addington, is an anti-domestic violence campaigner who lost his daughter, Joanne Croxton, after she was murdered by her husband in December 2005.
No news yet – but the media can feel free to speculate.
If you have nay news call Merton Police on 101 (quoting reference 12MIS025216); or Missing People on 116 000.
Posted: 6th, August 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
