Our investigation into the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif remains ongoing.
Sara’s body was found on 10 August after police were called to an address in Hammond Road, Woking, at around 2.50am following a 999 call.
On arrival, Sara was found dead inside the property. It is believed that Sara lived at this address.
An investigation, led by Surrey Police and Sussex Police’s Major Crime Team, was launched to establish the circumstances of Sara's death and this remains ongoing.
The post-mortem examination, which took place on 15 August, did not establish the cause of Sara’s death and further tests are being carried out. There is no timeframe for how long these tests will take.
The post-mortem did, however, reveal that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, which are likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time.
Three people charged with the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 15 September.
Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother Faisal Malik, 28, all appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.
All three appeared at Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey) on Thursday 19 September. They were remanded in custody until the plea and trial preparation hearing at The Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey) in London on 1 December.
The trial has been scheduled for six weeks to start on 2 September 2024
Officers continue to appeal for information about Sara’s life and would like to speak to anyone who knew her. Sara's mother has been updated on these developments and will continue to be supported by specialist officers.
We are also working with our local partners in Surrey to progress the safeguarding review.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has reviewed information from Surrey Police in relation to previous contact with Sara Sharif and are satisfied that it does not appear to meet the criteria for a death or serious injury referral.
Appeal for information
As part of our investigation, we are trying to piece together information about Sara’s life which may help to inform our enquiries. We would like to speak to anyone who knew Sara, or her family.
No piece of information is insignificant and could be vital for the investigation to ensure that those responsible for Sara’s tragic and untimely death are brought to justice.
If you have any information which could assist our investigation, please contact us via our information portal.
Alternatively, you can report information by calling 101, quoting Operation Unison.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
We remain absolutely committed to conducting a thorough investigation into Sara’s death. Any co-operation from the people we want to speak to will assist the enquiry.
An inquest into Sara’s death was opened by His Majesty’s Coroner on 29 August which confirmed that whilst unestablished at this time, Sara’s cause of death is likely to be unnatural.
The inquest has been adjourned for six months whilst the police investigation continues.
Further appeal
We have released two new images of 10-year-old Sara Sharif this week as part of our ongoing appeal for information to help us build a picture of her life prior to the discovery of her body at her home address in Woking on 10 August.
As a result of enquiries undertaken so far, the photos present Sara in the way we believe she may have dressed in the months prior to her death, and we are hoping that these images will prompt more people to come forward with information about her and her family.
Since Sara’s tragic death, officers have been engaging with community leaders and distributing leaflets in the Woking community. Posters have also been displayed in and around Woking train station and taxi ranks around the town.
The appeal has been translated into written Urdu and verbally in video format to reach residents of the local area whose first language is Urdu.
Officers working for the Force who are fluent in Urdu are supporting the investigation team to translate information provided by members of the public.
While the appeal has generated a number of enquiries, officers are still keen to hear from anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant, which could help them to piece together a picture of Sara’s life.
Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: “We have released these new images this week in the hope that it will prompt more people who knew Sara and her family to come forward.
“We are grateful to everyone who has already contacted us, and I would like to stress that any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, is reviewed by the investigation team and further enquiries 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.”
