Residents rally to help find missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp.

Pollards Hill residents have rallied to help find missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp.

Tia, 12, who lives in the Pollards Hill estate, was last seen leaving her grandmother's house in New Addington in Croydon on Friday afternoon.

Dozens of posters have been put up in shop windows in Pollards Hill and hundreds more are being handed out in the street and community centres.

News of Tia's disappearance has travelled quickly through the community with many taking to social networking sites to appeal for help in tracing her.

Mark Wilcox, 36, from Pollards Hill, said "I have seen lots of stuff on Facebook. You just never know. It doesn't happen much and when it does happen and you only live down the road.

She's 12 years old. I just hope they find her safe and well. Everybody around here is talking about it.

There's not a lot you can do apart from keep an eye out and hope for the best."
Another resident, who didn't wish to be named, said "Pollards Hill have come together as a community like we have done for years. Everyone is absolutely devastated.

I think if it wasn't for the public it wouldn't have been as wide spread. Her family are absolutely devastated.

It's horrible when you see it on tv and its someone you don't know but when its right on your doorstep and one of your own. Pollards Hill have always looked after each other. Everyone knows everybody."

Another resident said "My daughter lives in New Addington and she said the response from there has been beyond belief. 200 people turned up at the police station. They have had people out all night looking for her.

She's a lovely and caring child. If you had a problem she would be the first to help you. It's really out of character."

Tia, a former student at Garden Primary School in Pollard's Hill, is believed to be a student at Raynes Park High School.

One of Tia's classmates from Pollards Hill said "I'm really upset and worried about her."