£20,000 Reward Announced in Hunt for Missing Safi Boys
Police have slapped a £20,000 reward on the table for info leading to the safe return of three missing boys – Bilal, six, Mohammed Ebrar, five, and three-year-old Mohammed Yaseen Safi. The boys vanished on the evening of Thursday, 20 August, after being taken by their father, Imran Safi.
Police Seek Bearded Man and Red Nissan Qashqai Witness
Officers have released an image of a man they desperately want to track down. He was spotted in a red Nissan Qashqai (registration PK13 WFO) as the boys were snatched. The man, sporting a beard and a stripy jumper, sat in the passenger seat when the car sped off.
The red Nissan was captured on camera near Malpit Road, Coulsdon, heading towards Coulsdon Central shortly after the abduction. Despite intense forensic and operational efforts, the man remains unidentified. Police urge anyone with dashcam footage from the area on the night of 20 August to come forward immediately.
Commander Pleads for Public’s Help to Find Boys and Father
“I can’t imagine how distressing this whole situation has been for the three young boys,” said Commander Bas Javid. “We are offering a £20,000 reward for information that will bring the children home safely.”
New photos of the boys, taken on the day they vanished by their foster carer in a Croydon park, have also been released. Police believe Imran Safi and the children have likely fled the UK, possibly via a secret route, but their exact whereabouts remain unknown.
“Our top priority is bringing these innocent children back to the UK,” Commander Javid added. “We need anyone who recognises the man in the car or knows where the children and Safi are to get in touch urgently.”
Multiple Arrests Made as Police Pursue Leads
- A 25-year-old woman and 32-year-old man were arrested in Kenley on 21 August.
- Three men (two aged 20, one 17) arrested in Croydon on 23 August.
- A 25-year-old woman and 37-year-old man arrested in Kenley on 25 August.
- A 33-year-old man arrested in Croydon on 25 August.
- Four men aged 21–41 arrested in Ilford on 28 August.
- A 31-year-old man arrested in Ilford on 29 August, later released under investigation.
- A 17-year-old male arrested in bristol/" title="Bristol" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bristol, later bailed.
- A 45-year-old man arrested at Heathrow Airport on 10 September for conspiracy to kidnap, now bailed.
All arrested individuals have been released on police bail, awaiting further inquiries.
How to Help
If you have any information about Imran Safi or the missing boys, call the incident room 24/7 on 07942 599 374. To stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or via their secure online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Do not approach Imran Safi if you spot him; call 999 immediately.
