Detectives questioning all three suspects were last night still
awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination begun at Croydon
mortuary yesterday afternoon following the discovery of the body on
Friday at the grandmother's house in New Addington, near Croydon,
Surrey, seven days after Tia was reported missing. A Scotland Yard
spokesman said that establishing the cause of death would continue
today. Police expect the body to be formally identified shortly
afterwards.
Metropolitan Police Commander Neil Basu, apologising to Natalie,
the schoolgirl's mother, explained that the first examination of
the house was not a full search. "An initial visit was made [on 3
August] to assess the situation and examine the property," he said.
He admitted mistakes were made during a second search, two days
later. This exercise took two hours, Mr Basu said, and the family
gave their consent.
"All parts of the premises were searched, including the location
where a body was discovered on Friday, 10 August," he said. "An
early review has been conducted, and it is now clear that human
error delayed the discovery of the body within the house. We have
apologised to Tia's mother that our procedures did not lead to the
discovery of the body on this search."
Police said a third visit took place on Wednesday. "This was not
a search, but the attendance of a body recovery dog to assist the
investigation team in their inquiries," he said. "It is not
appropriate to comment further on aspects of the criminal
investigation currently being conducted, but our investigation was
such that it was decided that a further intrusive search needed to
be undertaken – it was that search, yesterday, which resulted in
the discovery. On behalf of the Metropolitan Police, I apologise
for the distress and concern this delay will have caused. A
continuing review and examination of our search processes will be
undertaken to ensure such a failing is not repeated," he added.
Police believe the girl had been killed before they carried out
the second search, last Sunday.
The delay in finding the body caused bewilderment and outrage in
New Addington, where Tia was last seen alive. Throughout the week,
hundreds of people from the neighbourhood turned out to help search
for the missing girl. Scores of people from Mitcham – where Tia
lived with her mother and stepfather – also scoured woodlands and
garages, hoping to find her alive. Shops throughout the borough
displayed pictures of her.
Senior police officers held a series of emergency meetings, as
dozens of angry neighbours gathered around the house when news of
the discovery of the body spread on Friday.
Last night, neighbours continued to question why it had taken
more than 100 officers nearly seven days to locate Tia, when her
body appeared to have been in the house all along. John Smithies,
56, a local community centre worker, said: "Considering the police
were searching through my bin, you would have thought they would
have done a more thorough job the first time around. Extra police
were drafted in, taken off the Olympics, which must have cost a
lot. You would have thought they would first have searched the
home."
Dale Robertson, 44, who lives on the estate, said: "People are
angry and upset. They are still questioning why it has taken seven
days. It's unbelievable. This time last summer, there were 30 or 40
children here playing on the estate. Now most are too scared to
come out."
Elaine Alchin, 49, whose daughter was friends with Tia, said the
police apology was not enough. "I'm so angry with the police
because she could have been found a lot sooner. They just didn't
search properly. Had they found her sooner, we'd be days ahead...
now. It's such a shame."
Peter Wilson, 64, the landlord of the Randall Tavern, called for
calm: "Under the circumstances, the police have done a good job. We
do not blame them for this. That said, there are proper procedures:
you'd think the first job with any search is to properly check the
property."
One neighbour, who declined to give her name, went further. "The
apology is fine, but it's too little, too late. The police know
they have cocked up. It is the senior bosses who need to come under
fire for this, not the officers here. They've been fantastic."
Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham, said there should be an
investigation into what went wrong. "There is an immediate need to
find out who was responsible for the murder. After that, we need to
find out what police and everybody else could have done
differently."
Throughout yesterday, families came to pay their respects as
tributes continued to pour in. Bouquets of flowers, teddies and
children's pictures were among them. "You are now with the angels
and no more nasty people. You can rest in peace. We love you very
much," one read.
Scotland Yard launched a manhunt after the discovery of the body
on Friday. They had realised Mr Hazell, an unemployed painter and
decorator, was missing. He was arrested on Cannon Hill Common, in
neighbouring Merton, approximately three hours after he was spotted
by a member of the public, who called the police.
Three hours earlier he had walked into a convenience store,
purchased half a litre of vodka and two lighters, then asked
residents to help in the search for Tia.
His arrest quelled a modicum of the community's angry reaction
towards the police.
Neighbourhood feeling was strong because the police had failed
to keep Mr Hazell under surveillance and had taken too long to find
the body, people said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said last night
that it had not been asked to carry out an inquiry into the way the
search was carried out.
Inquiry timeline
Friday, 3 August
Tia Sharp is reported missing after she fails to appear for her
dinner. Police arrive at house to "assess the situation and examine
the property". Police say this visit "was not regarded or viewed as
a full search of the property".
Saturday, 4 August
Police divert officers from Olympic duties and, with the help of
local residents, begin searching the area.
Sunday, 5 August
Searches continue, with gangs of helpers in New Addington and
Mitcham – where Tia's mother Natalie lives – putting up thousands
of posters and looking through bins.
Monday, 6 August
Police continue to trawl CCTV footage of trams and buses between
New Addington and Croydon, where Mr Hazell said Tia was heading.
There are dozens of suspected sightings, and hundreds call police
with information.
Tuesday, 7 August
Specialist police search woodland known as Birchwood. The search
includes garages, sheds, outhouses, and a school. Rubbish
collections are delayed to help the search and to protect any
potential evidence.
Wednesday, 8 August
Sniffer dogs trained to detect blood and evidence of body
decomposition are sent into Christine Sharp's house. Mr Hazell is
led away from the house by detectives who later confirm he is being
interviewed as a witness.
Thursday, 9 August
Local search teams continue the hunt and enter garages in the
area, leading to rising tensions with homeowners. Police in the
area call for calm and ask neighbours and friends to let police do
their job.
Friday, 10 August
A forensic search of Christine Sharp's house reveals a body.
Police delay a press conference arranged for 2pm. At about 5pm,
almost exactly a week since she was reported missing, they announce
a body has been found. They are looking to interview Mr Hazell –
who is captured in common land at 8.25pm.
Saturday, 11 August
Police issue a public apology and admit that "human error" led
to Tia's body lying undiscovered for five days after officers
failed to spot it during searches.
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VIEW GALLERY
