Police search Smethwick house linked to teenager who went missing 23 years ago

Police are currently searching a property in Smethwick which is linked to Phillip Harris, a teenager from West Bromwich who went missing 23 years ago.

Detectives reviewing the case are now searching a property in St Paul’s Road, Smethwick which was linked to Phillip at the time.

The current residents are not connected to the enquiry and have been rehoused while our search is conducted, West Midlands Police said.

The disappearance of Phillip has remained a mystery since he told his family he was going to spend the night at a friend’s house and never returned.

Phillip Harris was just 15 when he left his home in St Eleanors Close, West Bromwich on the morning of 28 July 1999 to visit a friend in Northfield.

Later that day he phoned his foster parents to say he would be staying overnight with a friend. He hasn’t been seen since.

In spite of media appeals, both in Birmingham and Manchester, where he had family links, there have been no confirmed sightings of him.

What has West Midlands Police police said?

Detective Inspector Jim Church, from force CID, said: “Sadly there has been no proof of life for Phillip in all these years and we need to explore all the information we have to see if we can find out what happened to him.

“We have been in touch with Phillip’s family and made them aware of our investigations.

“Even though it is almost 23 years ago, we are sure that someone holds the key to Phillip’s disappearance and we would urge anyone with information to contact us.”

Phillip’s family said: “We think about Phillip every day. We love him and miss him more than words can say. If anyone has any information about what has happened to Phillip or where he might be please let the police know.

“Even though he has been missing for many years we are still desperate to know where Phillip is so that we can have some closure.”

Information can be given via Live Chat on the police website at west-midlands.police.uk or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1825 of 18/3.

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