Police are searching a property in connection with the mystery disappearance of a 15-year-old boy who vanished almost 23 years ago.
Phillip Harris has not been seen since he left his home in West Bromwich telling his family he would be spending the night at a friend’s house on July 28, 1999.
The schoolboy never returned home and his disappearance remains a mystery more than two decades on.
Despite several media appeals, both in Birmingham and Manchester, where he had family links, there has never been any confirmed sightings of him.
Detectives investigating the case revealed today that officers were now searching a property in Smethwick, West Midlands, which was linked to Phillip at the time.
West Midlands Police said the current residents are not connected to the enquiry and have been rehoused while the search takes place.
Detective Inspector Jim Church, from force CID, said: “Sadly there has been no proof of life for Phillip in all these years and we need to explore all the information we have to see if we can find out what happened to him.
“We have been in touch with Phillip’s family and made them aware of our investigations.
“Even though it is almost 23 years ago, we are sure that someone holds the key to Phillip’s disappearance and we would urge anyone with information to contact us.”
The schoolboy's family are also pleading with the public to help the police investigation.
They said: “We think about Phillip every day. We love him and miss him more than words can say.
"If anyone has any information about what has happened to Phillip or where he might be please let the police know.
"Even though he has been missing for many years we are still desperate to know where Phillip is so that we can have some closure.”
- Information can be given via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1825 of 18/3.
