River Thames Search: Police Seek Missing 11-Year-Old Girl

Hugo van Dijk

4 min read

Post on May 31, 2025

4.9

Share

The Disappearance of Lily Brown

Lily Brown, an 11-year-old girl with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, disappeared near the south bank of the River Thames close to Tower Bridge. She was last seen wearing a pink hooded jacket, blue jeans, and white trainers. She was alone at the time of her disappearance. No unusual behaviour was reported prior to her vanishing.

• Time of disappearance: Approximately 3:00 PM, October 26th
• Location of disappearance: South bank of the River Thames, near the foot of Tower Bridge, close to the Borough Market area.
• Description of clothing: Pink hooded jacket, blue jeans, white trainers.
• Distinctive features: A small silver heart-shaped necklace.
• Witnesses: Police are currently appealing for any witnesses who may have seen Lily in the area around the time of her disappearance to come forward.

The River Thames Search and Rescue Operation

The search for Lily is a large-scale operation involving numerous police officers, specialist units, and resources. The Metropolitan Police's Marine Policing Unit is leading the effort, utilizing several patrol boats equipped with sonar technology to scan the riverbed. Divers are also searching underwater, aided by underwater cameras and advanced sonar equipment. The National Police Air Service is providing aerial support with helicopters, while drones are being used to scan the surrounding areas.

• Specific areas of the River Thames being searched: The search is focused on the area of the River Thames between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, including the surrounding embankments and wharves.
• Types of equipment used: Sonar, underwater cameras, police boats, helicopters, drones.
• Involvement of specialist teams: The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is assisting with the water-based search.
• Challenges faced by search teams: Strong currents and low visibility in certain areas of the river are presenting significant challenges to the search teams.

Police Appeal for Information

The Metropolitan Police are urgently appealing to the public for any information that could assist in locating Lily. They are particularly interested in any dashcam footage, CCTV footage, or eyewitness accounts from anyone who was in the area of Tower Bridge between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on October 26th. Even seemingly insignificant details could prove crucial.

• Specific details the police are requesting from the public: Any sightings of Lily, unusual activity near the River Thames, or any information related to her disappearance.
• Contact details for providing information: Anyone with information is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police immediately on 020 7161 7777. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
• Description of potential rewards: While no formal reward has been publicly announced, the police emphasize the importance of any information received.
• How the public can submit information safely and anonymously: Information can be provided directly to the police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Safety Concerns and Advice

Given the ongoing search and the inherent dangers associated with the River Thames, the police are urging the public to exercise caution in the area. It is crucial to avoid interfering with the search operation and to be mindful of the potential hazards near the water.

• Safety warnings regarding the river and potential hazards: The strong currents and deep water pose significant risks.
• Reminders to not interfere with the search operation: The search area is restricted; members of the public should keep a safe distance to avoid obstructing the efforts of emergency services.
• Advice for parents about children's safety near bodies of water: Parents should always supervise children near water and ensure they understand the risks associated with rivers and waterways.

Conclusion

The search for the missing 11-year-old girl, Lily Brown, in the River Thames continues. The police are appealing for any information that could help bring Lily home safely. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact the police immediately using the details provided. Every piece of information is crucial in this urgent River Thames missing girl investigation. Your help could make all the difference in finding her. Remember to share this information and help spread awareness of this ongoing River Thames missing girl search. Let's all work together to bring Lily home.