There have been two sightings of Mariama Kallon since she was reported missing
(Picture: Metropolitan Police)A 13-year-old girl has gone missing after she didn’t return home from her school in Bermondsey, south London, police say.
Mariama Kallon was reported mising last Thursday, on February 9, and Metropolitan Police officers are appealing for the public’s help to find her.
Detectives believe the school girl “is avoiding going home” and since her school is closed during the half term break, Mariama has been out of contact for “much longer than normal”.
But there have been two reported sightings of the school girl.
She was seen on the morning of Friday February 10 near Markham Street in Southwark and again on the afternoon of February 13 in Riddons Road, Lewisham.
She was wearing different clothing on both occassions – a black top and blue trousers on February 10 and a black top, pink trousers and a heavy scarf on February 13, the Met said.
Detective Sergeant Dick Nation said: “We believe Mariama is avoiding going home and as a result of her school being closed, has been out of contact for much longer than normal.
“There is no evidence that she has come to harm or is at any imminent risk of harm, but the duration of her disappearance is a cause for concern.
“She is 13 and we do not know where she is staying or who she is staying with. We do not know if she is in the company of any responsible adults.
“If you have seen Mariama or have any information on her whereabouts, please contact us.
“I would also like to send a message to Mariama if she is reading this.
“We know there are many reasons why a child may avoid going home. You are not in any trouble but we need to make sure you are safe. We are here to talk to you and to help you with whatever problems you may be having. Please call 999, speak to a police officer or ask someone you trust to contact us for you. It is really important.”
It is not the first time that Mariama has gone missing, police said.
Previously she has stayed away from home overnight and has gone to school the next day as normal, however her school was not open on Friday and this week is the half term break.
Anyone who sees Mariama should call 999 immediately. Anyone with other information about her whereabouts should call 101, giving the reference 5645/13FEB.
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
The Met received 45,240 missing person reports in the 12 months to November 2022, relating to 21,806 people.
A total of 2,200 of those reports were for people missing from the Central South Command Unit which includes Lambeth and Southwark. That is an average of six reports a day, the Met said.
95 percent of those missing were found or returned within seven days, while 2,210, or just five percent, were found or returned after seven days.
A total of 168 - less than one percent - are still missing.
“Releasing images of missing children as part of an appeal is not a decision that is taken lightly,” the Met said.
“Public appeals can leave a lasting digital trail and can have a significant impact on those whose image and information is put into the public domain.
“Decisions are taken after careful consideration and discussions with family members or guardians as appropriate.
“Wherever possible we like to have the agreement of the family but can, when the circumstances require, proceed with appeals on senior officer authority alone.”
