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Forensic tents set up in garden as police hunt for clues on schoolboy missing since 1999

Forensic tents have been set up in a garden at a Black Country house as detectives hunt for clues on a teenager missing since 1999.

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Police have erected several forensic tents the the garden and placed sheeting from the rear of the property to the tenting. Photo: SnapperSK

Phillip Harris was 15 when he vanished 23 years ago after telling his parents he was going to stay at a friend's house.

On Friday police said they were searching a property in St Paul's Road, Smethwick, in connection with his disappearance.

Photographs from the scene show a line of forensic tents in the back garden, while officers have been seen going in and out of the terraced house with photographic equipment.

Plastic sheeting has also been placed from the rear of the property to the tenting.

Phillip Harris was just 15 when he left his home in St Eleanors Close, West Bromwich on the morning of 28 July 1999. Photo: SnapperSK

The current owners of the property are not connected to this enquiry and have been rehoused while police search the house and garden.

Phillip left his home in St Eleanors Close, West Bromwich, on the morning of July 28 1999 to visit a friend in Northfield. Later that day he phoned his foster parents to say that he would be staying overnight with a friend.

**Number plates may need pixelating/Video with Relevant Desk** (Pictured: West Midlands Police are searching the rear garden of a terrace house on St Paul's Road in the Smethwick area of Sandwell after officers followed a new line of enquiry into the disappearance of Phillip Harris who went missing aged 15 on 28 July 1999. Cops have erected several forensic tents the the garden and placed sheeting from the rear of the property to the tenting. Forensic officers were also pictured coming and going from the property with photographic equipment. Pic taken 01/04/2022) - WEST MIDLANDS POLICE STATEMENT:..Appeal for missing teenager 23 years on..The disappearance of a Sandwell teen nearly 23 years ago 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...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 this enquiry and have been rehoused while our search is conducted...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 ab.

Despite of media appeals both in Birmingham, and Manchester, where he had family links, he was never seen again.

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.

Police have said the current owners of the property are not linked to the search. Photo: SnapperSK

"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."

Police are sure someone knows what happened to the 15-year-old. Photo: SnapperSK

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."

Police have not said how long they will be at the house. Photo: SnapperSK

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

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