Missing Shelley Pratt Urged To 'Come Home For Christmas'

'They'll Be No Christmas Without You'

The parents of a teenage girl who has been missing for five weeks have begged her to come home in time for Christmas.

Lisa and Tony Pratt said there are presents under the tree for their 14-year-old daughter Shelley, but without her "there will be no Christmas".

It comes as Metropolitan Police detectives investigating her disappearance release new CCTV images which show her walking with a young black man along Croydon High Street just after midnight on Friday November 9.

Shelley Pratt, the missing Corydon teenager

The images of Shelley show her wearing her school uniform trousers and a hooded jumper with the slogan 'I love (heart symbol) London'.

Minutes later police believe Shelly's Oyster card was used to board a route 60 bus heading towards Coulsdon.

Mr and Mrs Pratt said: "Shellz, please get in touch with us, we are desperate to hear your voice and know that you are safe and well.

"You're not in trouble. We love you and we miss you and just want you home, without you there will be no Christmas.

"Your presents are under the tree waiting for you. We are all missing you like mad. We love you, please please come home."

On Thursday November 8, Shelley got off a 196 bus outside Harris Academy in South Norwood, Croydon, and walked south with a girl and a boy.

She was later spotted around 9.30pm on CCTV at George Street tram stop in Croydon town centre.

The 14-year-old has gone missing twice before but not for this long.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne said: "It has now been five weeks since Shelley went missing and concerns for her safety and welfare, especially in this extremely cold weather, are heightened.

"Shelley has had absolutely no contact with friends or family since her disappearance and it is possible that she may be with someone, perhaps in a house or a flat.

"I am encouraging people, particularly Croydon residents, to look closely at the image of the young man seen next to her. Do you recognise him or see him moments before approaching Shelley, talking to a number of passing girls on the opposite pavement, clearly trying to get their attention?

"As a result of our appeals we have received a number of unconfirmed sightings during November and December which we are in the process of following up.

"I continue to encourage Croydon residents to be 'nosy neighbours' and be extra vigilant as to the movements of any young people who are new to the area. I urge anyone who may have seen Shelley to contact us."

Shelley is described as white and around 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in tall with long brown hair.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 020 8721 4906.

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