Surrey Police use Urdu to reach Pakistani nationals in Sara Sharif search
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Police investigating the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have translated their appeal into Urdu to reach Pakistani nationals living in the local area.
Officers who are fluent in Urdu are supporting the investigation team to translate information given by members of the public, Surrey Police said.
Posters have also been displayed in and around Woking railway station and taxi ranks around the town, and a video format appeal has also been produced.
The appeal has generated “a number of inquiries which are helping detectives to piece together a picture of Sara’s life before her tragic death,” police said.
Police want to speak to Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28, who fled the UK for Pakistan after Sara was found dead and alone at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10.
A post-mortem examination found she had suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over a “sustained and extended” period of time.
The force said specialist forensic searches are continuing at the family’s previous address in Eden Grove Road, Byfleet, and their most recent home address in Hammond Road, Horsell, both in Surrey.
Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police major crime team, said: “We are working hard to progress the investigation into Sara’s murder and a key part of this is piecing together information about her life from anyone who knew her or her family.
“We are grateful to everyone who has come forward with information, and I would like to stress that any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, could be of use in developing our understanding of her lifestyle.
“Every single piece of information that we receive is reviewed by the investigation team and further inquiries carried out if appropriate.
“I would urge anyone who may have information and hasn’t yet come forward to reach out to us.
“There are a number of ways you can do this – you can report information via our portal, which is in both English and Urdu, you can call 101 if you would prefer to speak on the phone, or if you would like to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers.”
On Wednesday, Sara’s stepmother spoke publicly for the first time since the little girl was found dead.
In a clip of the footage posted online by Sky, Batool, 29, shows no emotion as she describes Sara’s death as “an incident” and says that she and Mr Sharif, 41, are willing to co-operate with UK authorities over the case.
