Rashid Elsafi-Bakkr: Specialist detectives take over investigation into schoolboy, 14, missing for 10 days

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have taken over the investigation into missing schoolboy Rashid Elsafi-Bakkr, last seen 10 days ago.

The 14-year-old was last seen at his home in Brent, northwest London, at around 10pm on Sunday March 20.

He was reported missing at 5.30pm the next day, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Scotland Yard said this latest development was due to “Rashid’s age, and his disappearance being highly out of character”.

The Specialist Crime Command investigates serious offences such as gang crime, kidnap and murder.

A Met source said: “Given the length of time Rashid has now been missing, it was deemed appropriate for them to now lead the investigation due to their skill and experience in handling major inquiries.”

Det Supt Pete Wallis, one of the senior investigating officers, said: “Rashid’s family have been updated about this development and we’re continuing to support them as well as we can at this desperately worrying time.

“We have informed them at this stage this remains a missing persons investigation.

“But, 10 days since the last known sighting of him, we are extremely concerned for Rashid’s welfare.

“Our colleagues in the North West Command Unit continue to support us and we’re utilising a number of resources from across the Met in our efforts to trace him.

“While our work to establish all the facts is ongoing, there is still no clear reason for his going missing.”

Police also released three new CCTV clips and two images of the missing schoolboy, urging the public to come forward if they had seen him.

The first video shows Rashid walking with a rucksack near his home address in Beresford Avenue, Wembley in the direction of Alperton.

The footage was captured at around 9.45pm on Sunday March 20.

He was last seen at home around the same time.

The second video shows Rashid walking on Sunleigh Road at around 10.10pm.

He is then captured in Mount Pleasant going towards Ealing Road at around 10.15pm.

This is the last sighting police have at this time.

Detectives believe he was wearing a grey hooded top, dark coloured jacket and trousers, distinctive blue Nike trainers with a white tick and carrying a light coloured rucksack.

Police have also released an image of Rashid captured from an appointment he had at the dentist on the afternoon of Friday, March 18 in which he is seen wearing the same distinctive blue trainers referred to.

"We’re working closely with Rashid’s school, Ark Elvin Academy in Wembley, where staff and his fellow pupils are hugely worried about him,” Det Supt Wallis said.

“They have also appealed for any information that will help us find him safe and well.

"Now is the time for anyone who has not yet spoken to us to come forward. Anyone who knows Rashid, or who he associates with, is urged to call us immediately.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, could be vital.

“This young man is missing, his family are distraught, and we need the community to help us find him.”

Det Supt Wallis urged members of the public to help their investigation.

“The distinctive blue trainers we have shown today will be recognisable to people. If they jog your memory and you think you have seen someone matching Rashid’s description, you must contact us,” he said.

"I am asking local residents and people who were driving in the area at the time this footage was captured to please check their doorbell cameras and dash-cams to see if they may have captured any sightings of Rashid.

“I’d also like to appeal to local shop and business owners in the area who may have caught him walking past.

"Lastly, I again want to reiterate previous appeals directly to Rashid.

“You are not in any trouble at all.

“Our only concern is for your safe return and to get you home where you belong.

“Please contact us and let us know you’re OK."

The principal at his school, Ark Elvin Academy, has said she is “deeply concerned” about the Year 10 pupil’s disappearance, and urged the public to share any information they may have.

Principal Rebecca Curtis said: “We are deeply concerned for Rashid, who has been missing for more than a week.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to get in touch. Anyone who knows Rashid will know how out of character this is.

“He has excellent attendance at school and has been working hard in his lessons and making good progress.

“All of his friends are desperately concerned about him and want him to know how much they are missing him.

“We are working with our in-school counselling service place2be to support our pupils and staff at this difficult time.

“At this point more than a week after he was last seen we are desperate to raise the profile of this investigation.

“Everyone needs to recognise Rashid’s face so we can find out where he is. Someone must have seen him or know where he is.”

Det Ch Insp Tony Bellis, from the north west command unit, said: “As time passes our concern for Rashid is growing.

“He’s a young man, only 14, and while our work to establish all the facts continues, there appears to be no clear reason at this time for his going missing.

“It’s completely out of character for him and nothing like this has ever happened before.

“We’re doing all we can to support Rashid’s family, who are desperate for him to come home, and we need the public’s support.

“We’re still building up a picture of Rashid’s life and want to hear from any of his friends and associates who have any information that they think could be useful.”

Anyone who sees Rashid or has any information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call police – for an immediate sighting please dial 999 or if you have information as to where he may be the call 101 quoting 22MIS009512.

Information can also be shared anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-org.uk.

Video and images that could help officers can be uploaded directly to police via this link.