Bins searched in missing Tia hunt (From Hillingdon Times)

Bins searched in missing Tia hunt

10:40am Thursday 9th August 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Police have been searching bins outside Tia Sharp's grandmother's house as the hunt for the missing schoolgirl continues.

The 12-year-old, who has never run away before, vanished without a trace on Friday afternoon after telling relatives she was going shopping at the Whitgift Centre in Croydon.

She is thought to have been last seen at the house where her grandmother Christine Sharp, 46, lives with partner Stuart Hazell, 37, at The Lindens in New Addington, south-east London.

Mr Hazell, thought to be one of the last people to see Tia, was questioned by police as a witness for more than two hours on Thursday before returning home. Police searched bins around the estate this morning, using sticks to scour through rubbish.

Tia's mother, Natalie Sharp, 30, said she did not want to speak to reporters but her partner, David Niles, 29, who left the house briefly to buy newspapers, said Mr Hazell would be giving a statement later.

More than 80 officers have joined the hunt for Tia, while members of the local community have staged their own searches in the area where she vanished.

Scotland Yard has received more than 300 calls and 60 reported sightings of Tia, including a member of the public who came forward saying they saw her leaving her grandmother's house at about noon on Friday.

Metropolitan Police area commander Neil Basu said police could not be "absolutely sure" who was the last person to see Tia on the estate. He stressed the investigation remains a missing persons inquiry, with no suspects, adding: "I am looking to find Tia safe and well."

Olympics resources have been redirected to the search which involves around 40 detectives and 40 specialist search officers. Mr Basu said police have collected more than 800 hours of CCTV footage from buses and trams, and viewed more than 120 hours of the material. The Sun newspaper has offered a £25,000 reward for information that will lead to police finding Tia.

Phillip Wheatley, her headteacher at Raynes Park High School in Merton, described her as a friendly young person who is well-liked by staff and students and enjoyed a successful first year at the school.