Metropolitan Police launch urgent search for missing sisters Afia 16 and Bilal 10 who vanished from Wandsworth High Street in London on Friday evening

What began as an ordinary Friday night in South West London has now spiralled into a worrying mystery.

Two sisters, Afia, 16, and her younger sibling Bilal, 10, vanished together and have not been seen since.

Their disappearance has triggered an urgent police appeal and left family members anxiously waiting for answers.

Officers say the girls were last spotted on Wandsworth High Street in the borough of Wandsworth on the evening of Friday, February 20.

Since then, there has been no confirmed sighting, and concern for their welfare is growing by the hour.

What Police Have Confirmed So Far

According to Wandsworth Police, both sisters were reported missing after they disappeared from their home.

Authorities believe they were together when they were last seen.

Afia, the older of the two at 16, was reportedly wearing a Gucci shawl at the time.

Her younger sister Bilal, just 10 years old, was said to be dressed in a black coat.

Those details, while simple, are crucial for anyone who may have passed them on the busy high street or nearby transport links.

In a public statement, officers urged members of the public to assist in tracing the siblings.

Police have asked anyone with information, however small it may seem, to come forward and quote reference number CAD3972/22Feb when making contact.

Why Cases Like This Raise Immediate Alarm

When children or teenagers go missing together, police often treat the situation with heightened urgency.

London is a vast city, with major rail stations, bus networks, and underground routes that can move people across boroughs in minutes.

Wandsworth High Street itself is a bustling area lined with shops, restaurants, and transport connections, meaning there were likely many witnesses in the vicinity at the time.

Metropolitan Police procedures typically involve reviewing CCTV footage, speaking with family members and friends, checking local transport hubs, and issuing media appeals quickly to widen the search net.

Time can be critical in missing persons investigations, especially when minors are involved.

While there is no public indication of foul play at this stage, authorities tend to act swiftly in cases involving young people to rule out any risk factors and ensure their safety.

The Community Response

Whenever children are reported missing in London, communities tend to mobilise quickly.

Social media posts are shared widely, and local residents often keep an eye out in parks, shopping areas, and transport stops.

The power of public awareness has proven effective in many past cases across the UK, where missing children have been located thanks to tips from ordinary members of the public.

Families in similar situations often describe the emotional toll as overwhelming — hours can feel like days.

Police appeals are not issued lightly, and the fact that this case has been made public suggests genuine concern for the sisters’ wellbeing.

What Happens During a Missing Persons Investigation

In the UK, when minors are reported missing, officers assess the level of risk — categorising cases as low, medium, or high risk depending on age, circumstances, and vulnerability factors.

A 10-year-old child disappearing automatically raises the level of urgency.

Search strategies can include door-to-door inquiries, mobile phone tracking where possible, coordination with transport authorities, and checks with hospitals and youth services.

CCTV review is often a key tool in urban areas like Wandsworth, where cameras cover high streets and bus routes extensively.

Police will also look into whether the sisters had plans to meet anyone, visit friends, or travel elsewhere.

What’s Next?

Investigators are expected to continue combing through CCTV footage from Wandsworth High Street and surrounding roads.

Officers may expand the search area if new leads emerge.

Appeals could also be circulated more widely across Greater London and neighbouring counties if necessary.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen two sisters matching the description — a teenage girl wearing a Gucci shawl and a younger girl in a black coat — to contact police immediately and quote reference CAD3972/22Feb.

Even a small detail, such as the direction they were walking or whether they entered a shop or bus, could prove significant.

Summary

Two sisters, Afia, 16, and Bilal, 10, have been reported missing after last being seen on Wandsworth High Street in London on Friday evening, February 20.

Afia was wearing a Gucci shawl, while Bilal had on a black coat.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information and are asking anyone with knowledge of their whereabouts to come forward, quoting reference CAD3972/22Feb.

The search remains ongoing as authorities work to locate the siblings safely.