Tia Sharp Disappearance: Timeline Of Events In 12-Year-Old Schoolgirl's Case

Here is a timeline of key events following the disappearance of 12-year-old Tia Sharp.

:: Friday 3 August

Tia is believed to have left her grandmother Christine Sharp's home in New Addington, south London, at around midday after telling Mrs Sharp's partner Stuart Hazell she is going to the Whitgift Centre, a shopping complex in nearby Croydon.

:: Monday 6 August

Tia's family make an emotional plea for her to return home as police find no trace of her on CCTV footage.

tia sharp

Police officers search bins on the New Addington estate

:: Tuesday 7 August

A CCTV image of Tia outside the local Co-op before she disappeared is released. Police begin searching a local wood, Birchwood.

The Sun newspaper offers a £25,000 reward for the safe return of Tia as her stepfather David Niles begs: "Just find my little girl

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tia sharpe missing 12 year old

Tia Sharp went missing on 3 August

:: Wednesday 8 August

Police take a German shepherd dog into Tia's grandmother's house.

Volunteers and members of the local community continue to hand out posters, wear Find Tia T-shirts and conduct their own searches.

Metropolitan Police area commander Neil Basu announces that officers have been redirected from Olympic duties to form part of an 80-strong team involved in the hunt for Tia.

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

Mr Basu says police cannot be "absolutely sure" who the last person to see Tia on the estate was.

Hazell, 37, is later led from Mrs Sharp's house by two men in plain clothes and is voluntarily questioned by police.

:: Thursday 9 August

Police search bins outside Tia's grandmother's home and around the estate where she lived, using sticks to scour through rubbish.

Scotland Yard says police have liaised with other forces with expertise in missing child cases.

Hazell says he was not the last person to see Tia, referring to the reported sighting of her leaving her grandmother's house at about noon on the Friday.

He makes an emotional plea for her to return home in an interview with ITV News, saying he would never harm her and adding: "I'd never think of that, I loved her to bits like my own daughter, we had that kind of relationship."

The schoolgirl's uncle, David Sharp, tells reporters Tia's family are "in bits".

:: Friday 10 August

Mrs Sharp breaks down in tears, saying: "My only message to Tia is that I love her. She is my life."

She tells reporters Hazell is out helping with the search.

A little later two female detectives arrive, leaving after about 30 minutes with brown evidence bags. Soon afterwards two police dog handlers arrive with a black German shepherd.

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Christine Sharp leaves her house as police prepare a forensic search of the property

At around noon Mrs Sharp, wearing a Find Tia campaign T-shirt, leaves the house with an officer and is driven away. An hour later police seal off an area around her home and begin to search it.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola, who is leading the investigation, says officers are carrying out a "pre-arranged search" likely to take at least one or two days.

Shortly before 5pm, Scotland Yard reveals police have found a body at the grandmother's house and announce they are hunting for Hazell. They warn the public not to approach him.

Hazell is arrested in the south London borough of Merton at 8.25pm after being spotted by a member of the public. He is taken into custody at a south London police station.

::Saturday 11 August

Scotland Yard announced on Saturday that a 46-year-old woman, Tia's grandmother Christine Sharp, and 39-year-old man, neighbour Paul Meehan, had also been arrested on Friday.

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Missing girl
RETRANSMISSION IMPROVING ASPECT RATIO.BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE.Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Tia Sharp.
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp leaves in a police vehicle accompanied by detectives on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police seal off the estate surrounding the home of Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police forensic units approach the sealed off home of Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police seal off the estate surrounding the home of Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police seal off the estate surrounding the home of Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police seal off the estate surrounding the home of Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp leaves her home accompanied by detectives on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp leaves her home accompanied by detectives on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp leaves her home accompanied by detectives on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Police dogs leave after searching the house of the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Christine Sharp, the grandmother of missing Tia Sharp leaves her home accompanied by detectives on August 10, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: DCI Nick Scola makes a statement to the press outside the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother, where a candle burns in the garden on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Police from Durham constabulary, drafted in from Olympic duties, search garages around the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: DCI Nick Scola makes a statement to the press outside the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: DCI Nick Scola makes a statement to the press outside the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: David Sharp makes a statement to the press concerning missng Tia Sharp, his niece, outside her grandmother's home on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: David Sharp makes a statement to the press concerning missng Tia Sharp, his niece, outside her grandmother's home on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Police search refuse bins around the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, in the in the London Borough of Croydon, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
The Search Continues For Missing Schoolgirl Tia Sharp
CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Police search refuse bins around the home of Tia Sharp's grandmother on August 9, 2012 in New Addington, in the in the London Borough of Croydon, England. Tia has been missing since last friday, when she was last seen leaving her grandmother's home to go shopping in nearby Croydon. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
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Forensic police officers leave the home of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing school girl Tia Sharp in New Addington near Croydon today.
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Forensic police officers leave the home of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing school girl Tia Sharp in New Addington near Croydon today.
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DCI Nick Scola speaks to the media in New Addington, Croydon, as police continue to investigate the disappearance of Tia Sharp.
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David Sharp, the uncle of missing Tia Sharp, speaks to the media in New Addington, Croydon.
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David Sharp, the uncle of missing Tia Sharp, speaks to the media in New Addington, Croydon.
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A police officers takes a break from searching through rubbish bins near Tia Sharp's grandmother's home in New Addington, London.
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Police officers search through rubbish bins near Tia Sharp's grandmother's home in New Addington, London.
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Police officers search through rubbish bins outside Tia Sharp's grandmother's home in New Addington, London.
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Stuart Hazell,37, the partner of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, leaves their home at the Lindens, New Addington, south east London, with detectives, as police and worried community members continued to search for the missing schoolgirl, five days after she vanished without a trace.
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Stuart Hazell,37, the partner of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, leaves their home at the Lindens, New Addington, south east London, with detectives, as police and worried community members continued to search for the missing schoolgirl, five days after she vanished without a trace.
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Stuart Hazell,37, the partner of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, is mobbed by the media, as he leaves their home at the Lindens, New Addington, south east London, with detectives, as police and worried community members continued to search for missing the schoolgirl five days after she vanished without a trace.
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Stuart Hazell,37, the partner of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, follows a detective as he leaves their home at the Lindens, New Addington, south east London, as police and worried community members continued to search for missing the schoolgirl five days after she vanished without a trace.
Missing girl
Stuart Hazell,37, the partner of Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, is mobbed by the media, as he leaves their home at the Lindens, New Addington, south east London, with detectives, as police and worried community members continued to search for missing the schoolgirl five days after she vanished without a trace.
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A general view of the home Christine Sharp, grandmother of missing Tia Sharp, in New Addington, London, as police and worried community members are continuing to search for missing the schoolgirl five days after she vanished without a trace.
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Messages are left at a bus stop near the home of Christine Sharp, grandmother of Tia Sharp, who went missing last Friday, as police and worried community members continued to search for missing the schoolgirl five days after she vanished without a trace.
Missing girl
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLEUndated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of 12-year-old Tia Sharp, who was last seen leaving her grandmother's home in New Addington, south east London, at around midday on Friday.
Missing girl
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLEUndated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of 12-year-old Tia Sharp, who was last seen leaving her grandmother's home in New Addington, south east London, at around midday on Friday.

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A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp (C), the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, attends a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return with his friends Mark Havers (L) and Steven Subine (R) on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp (C), the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, attends a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola holds up a CCTV image of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp in a press conference in New Scotland Yard where David Sharp, Tia Sharp's uncle, appealed for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp (R), the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, and Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola attend a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp (R), the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, attends a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp, the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, attends a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
A Press Conference Is Held Into The Disappearnce Of 12 Year Old Tia Sharp
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: David Sharp (R), the uncle of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, attends a press conference in New Scotland yard to appeal for her safe return on August 6, 2012 in London, England. Tia Sharp, aged 12, has been missing since leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington on Friday afternoon and was last sighted heading to the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)