DETECTIVES investigating the suspected murder of Naheed Khan are working on four new lines of inquiry after being inundated with information following a public appeal.

Cleveland Police are attempting to piece together the final movements of the 43-year-old who has been missing since last May.

Photographs of the grandmother walking through her hometown have been provided to officers as a result of a public appeal launched last month.

Asian Image: PLEA: Naheed Khan has been missing for several weeks

The 43-year-old, from Thornaby, has been missing since for nine months but officers have received potential ground-breaking information which could help to trace her which includes:

• Four new lines of inquiry

• 130 more investigative actions which are to be followed up by specialist detectives (sightings, further CCTV, interviews)

• A witness has come forward with potential CCTV of Naheed which will be analysed

• 450 more evidential exhibits have been seized from searches carried out after the launch which will require interrogation and examination

A member of the public also sent in a number of photos of Naheed in Thornaby town centre on Friday, April 20 which police have now released to the public in a bid to gain more information.

Chief Superintendent Jon Green said: “To date, we have only been given photos of Naheed from her family. These are the first photos we have received or seen which are close to the last sighting of Naheed. This is a step in the right direction for us and shows us exactly what she looked like before she disappeared.

“We have also received other vital information which will assist with mapping out other potential last movements and provide us with new information.

“I would like to emphasise that people need to check their CCTV systems and vehicle dashcam footage which could help us after a witness came forward just this week with potential CCTV footage of Naheed. Don’t assume that footage has been deleted, we are still urging the public to come forward if they discover they have any.

“Some of the information we have received has come in anonymously via Crimestoppers. If you happen to be one of those people, officers are keen for you to please come forward and speak to us as you could help us solve the disappearance of Naheed. All information will be treated with the upmost sensitivity.”

Officers policing tomorrow’s football match at the Riverside stadium between Middlesbrough and Leeds United will be handing out leaflets hoping that someone may have some information to give as Naheed had connections to Leeds for a short period in 2002.

Naheed also has links in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Thornaby. She is described as being of Asian appearance, of slim build and around 5ft 6ins tall, with long, dark hair.

  • Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, should contact Cleveland Police on 101 and say that you have information to help in the Naheed Khan case.
  • Information can also be passed anonymously to us via the UK Police Portal 
  • Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.