Police have launched an urgent appeal to find 15-year-old Courtney, who has been missing for nearly a month and is believed to have links to the Lewisham area in South London.
The teenager was last seen on 15 September 2025, prompting growing concerns for her welfare as the search enters its fourth week. Metropolitan Police have released details of her appearance and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help locate her.
Courtney is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall. She was last seen wearing a grey imitation leather jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms, and black trainers.
Police Appeal for Public Assistance
Officers believe Courtney may have connections to the Lewisham area and are asking residents and visitors to the South London borough to remain vigilant. The hashtag #Lewisham has been used in social media appeals to help spread awareness of the search.
Anyone who sees Courtney or has information about her whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately on 101, quoting reference number 01/7983009/25. In an emergency or if there are immediate welfare concerns, the public should call 999.
Missing Persons Crisis in the UK
Courtney’s disappearance adds to troubling statistics about missing persons in the United Kingdom. Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK, with over 170,000 people reported missing every year, resulting in around 330,000 missing incidents for police forces to respond to.
Almost two-thirds of these incidents relate to missing children, who are at increased risk of being victims of crime. Young people aged between 12 and 34 face the highest risk periods, with multiple factors often contributing to their disappearance.
Lewisham Area Focus
Lewisham, located in south-east London, is home to creative and diverse communities across its 19 wards. The borough contains residential neighbourhoods and one of the highest numbers of parks and green spaces in London, making search efforts particularly challenging.
The Metropolitan Police’s South East Basic Command Unit, which covers Lewisham, has been coordinating the search efforts. Officers have been following standard missing persons procedures, which typically include searching the missing person’s home, checking with friends and family, reviewing CCTV footage, and monitoring social media activity.
Support Available for Families
The prolonged absence of a loved one can be devastating for families and friends. Support services are available through Missing People, the UK’s only charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people and their loved ones. The charity operates a 24-hour helpline on 116 000 for anyone affected by a disappearance.
Families experiencing a missing person case often face emotional turmoil whilst dealing with practical challenges of maintaining hope and continuing search efforts. Professional support services can provide crucial assistance during these difficult times.
What Happens in Missing Person Cases
When someone is reported missing, police conduct an immediate risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of response. For young people like Courtney, investigations typically receive high priority given their vulnerability.
Initial police actions often include searching the missing person’s home, checking with known associates, examining financial and phone records where possible, and conducting area searches. For cases involving teenagers, officers also liaise with schools, youth services, and local authority care providers where relevant.
The vast majority of missing persons are found or return within the first 24 hours, and nearly all are located within 72 hours. However, cases extending beyond this timeframe require expanded search efforts and increased resources.
Public Can Help
Members of the public can assist in several ways beyond calling the police with sightings. Sharing appeals on social media, checking local areas where young people might seek shelter, and remaining observant in public spaces can all contribute to search efforts.
Local businesses, particularly in the Lewisham area, are asked to review any CCTV footage from around the time of Courtney’s disappearance and subsequent days. Transport hubs, shopping centres, and fast-food outlets are often locations where missing young people might be spotted.
Ongoing Investigation
As the search for Courtney continues, police stress the importance of any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem. Previous cases have been resolved through small details provided by the public that seemed unimportant at the time.
The reference number 01/7983009/25 should be quoted when providing any information to ensure it reaches the correct investigative team quickly. Police have emphasised that Courtney is not in any trouble and their only concern is ensuring her safety and wellbeing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 immediately, quoting reference 01/7983009/25.
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