Police make direct appeal to girl, 13, missing for nearly a week

15 February 2023 , 16:00

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But police added that there have been two sightings of the 13-year-old since she disappeared on February 9 (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Police are desperately appealing to find a 13-year-old girl who has been missing for five days.

Mariama Kallon was last seen around East Street in Walworth, London on February 9, 2023 and police say the minor attended school in Bermondsey on that day but did not return home.

In a statement released by the Met Police they said that this is not the first time Mariama has gone missing but that they are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Previously she has stayed away from home overnight and has gone to school the next day as normal, however due to the half term break her school was closed on Friday, February 10.

But police added that there have been two sightings of the 13-year-old, first was on the morning of Friday, 10 February, in the Markham Street, Southwark area.

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And a second on the afternoon of Monday, February 13 in Riddons Road, Lewisham.

Now the Met has released a direct appeal urging Mariama to get in contact as the "duration of her disappearance is a cause for concern."

But police added that there have been two sightings of the 13-year-old since she disappeared on February 9 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Detective Sergeant Dick Nation, from the Central South Missing Persons Unit, said: “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”

Mariama was wearing different clothing on the two occasions she was spotted.

On February 10, she was seen wearing a black top and blue trousers and on February 13, she wore a black top, pink trousers and a heavy scarf.

Lambeth police have released a photo of the black teenager who has her hair tied back in cornrows.

The appeal was released on Twitter five days after her disappearance last week.

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Met Police added that they did not know who Mariama was staying with or if she was in the company of responsible adults.

They stated that they believed she was "avoiding going home" and that there was no evidence she has come to harm or is at any imminent risk of harm."

Detective Sergeant Dick Nation, from the Central South Missing Persons Unit, 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."

Anyone with information is urged to call 999 immediately or 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

Since this story was published, Mariama was found safe and well on February 20, 2023.

Melissa Sigodo