Shelley Pratt. Pic: Metropolitan Police
CCTV images of missing Croydon teenager Shelley Pratt have been released by the Metropolitan Police this morning.
The images show Pratt, 14, walking along Croydon High Street with a man around midnight on November 9.
Police believe that her Oyster card was used shortly after to board a Route 60 bus heading towards Coulsdon.
Her parents, Lisa and Tony Pratt, have made another appeal: “We miss you and just want you home, without you there will be no Christmas.
“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.”
“Your presents are under the tree waiting for you. We are all missing you like mad. We love you, please please come home.”
The 14-year-old has gone missing twice before but not for as 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.
CCTV image released by the Met. Pic: Metropolitan Police
“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 did you see him moments before approaching Shelley, talking to a number of passing girls on the opposite pavement, clearly trying to get their attention?
“I continue to encourage Croydon residents to be ‘nosey 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.”
A team from the Metropolitan Homicide and Serious Crime Command is assisting with the case.
A Met spokesperson said: “By no means is this a murder inquiry at the moment, it is still very much a missing persons investigation. Purely by using this team, we are tapping into the resources available to them.”
