Detectives searching for missing student nurse Owami Davies have urged the public to 'trust their instincts and call', as the hunt to find her continues.
Owami has been missing for over a month after leaving her family home in Grays, Essex on July 4, and as then last seen on CCTV in West Croydon, South London on July 7.
Police have searched house, parks, as well as scanning through hundreds of hours of CCTV, while door-to-door enquiries have also been conducted in order to locate the 24-year-old.
Owami was said to be in the company of a man while crossing the road as a van pulled out, and police say they are keen to speak to the driver of the van he would have had a clear view of them both.
Owami’s mother Nicol Davies made a heartbreaking plea for her daughter to be found asking anyone with information to contact the police.
She said: “There are many friends and family who love and care for Owami and all of them want to see her safe return. Owami - if you see this appeal please believe you are not in any trouble, we just want you to come back to us.
"Please leave a message if you can to let us know you are okay, we are so very worried about you. This is such a terrible time for all those who love Owami and I am pleading for anyone who can help find her to contact police.
"Every day we hope to hear the news that Owami is coming back to us, your help might make it so.”
So far, five people have been arrested with two on suspicion of murder and three on suspicion of kidnap and all have since been released on bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: “The sheer scale of this inquiry shows how concerned we are for the safety of Owami. With every day that passes that concern only grows and our fear increases that she has come to harm.
Although this is a missing person enquiry, this is one of the biggest investigations I have ever experienced and that reflects our determination to find Owami for her family.
“Owami has now been missing for over a month and her family are desperate for news. We are keeping them fully informed, but finding Owami is the only thing that will bring them any peace and for that we need the public’s help.
“I want to thank the public for all the support we have already received, but I continue to appeal for anything that could assist our inquiry. Please call if you have any information - do not talk yourself out of telling us what you know.
"If you think you may have information about Owami, trust your instincts and call.”
South Area Commander Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, said: “I can assure our community that all we can do to find Owami is being done. We are working closely with our colleagues in specialist crime, who are used to dealing with large, complex investigations and we are providing them all the assistance we can in this extensive inquiry.
Everyone, I am sure, is hoping that Owami is safe and well and this nightmare for her friends and family will finally end.
"We understand the real anxiety that is currently felt in our community and we have additional officers patrolling to reassure you.
"Please do take the opportunity speak to these officers about your concerns, they are there to help you and answer any questions you may have.
"Lastly, I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has helped us, and is helping us, to find Owami. We truly appreciate the outstanding support we have received from both our community and our partners.”
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4622 where detectives are waiting to speak to you. Information provided will be handled sensitively and anyone who comes forward to assist officers will be given every support.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. They are separate from the police, they do not trace calls or monitor IP addresses. To contact them, either call 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
