Greater Manchester Police and the family of a 13-year-old girl from Bolton have launched an urgent appeal after she was last seen boarding a bus at the Trafford Centre earlier this month. The disappearance has prompted searches and requests for information from passengers and members of the public across south Manchester and Trafford.
Where and when she was last seen
Police say Lillia was last observed on Saturday at 1:50pm, boarding a 247 bus bound for Altrincham from the Trafford Centre. She has not been seen since, and officers are asking anyone who was on that service or in the vicinity at the time to check their records or recall what they saw.
Appeal details and public requests
Greater Manchester Police are urging:
- Passengers who travelled on the 247 bus around 1:50pm last Saturday to come forward;
- Households and businesses near the Trafford Centre and along the route to Altrincham to review CCTV or doorbell camera footage;
- anyone with information about Lillia's movements or contacts to contact police immediately.
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley reassured Lillia directly that she is not in any trouble and that her family simply wants her home safely.
Description and practical information
Police have provided a physical description to assist the search. They describe Lillia as:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 13 years old |
| Height/build | Approximately 5ft 5in, slim |
| Hair/other | Light brown hair, wearing glasses |
| Clothing | Black zip-up hoodie, baggy light blue jeans |
| Belongings | Black Nike backpack |
The girl's mother, identified in reporting as Jessica, has made an emotional appeal for her daughter's safe return. The family and police are urging anyone with information — however small it may seem — to come forward promptly so officers can establish Lillia's last known movements and trace any possible sightings.
Local impact and next steps
Missing-person inquiries of this nature typically involve searches, checks of CCTV along likely routes and enquiries with friends, schools and local transport staff. For residents, the appeal serves as a reminder to check any doorbell camera or private CCTV that may have captured the area around the Trafford Centre and the 247 bus route on the day in question.
Anyone with information should contact Greater Manchester Police through the usual non-emergency number or the force’s dedicated lines for missing-persons reports. Providing details such as the time, any vehicle registrations, or descriptions of people seen near the bus or on foot could prove crucial to officers working to locate Lillia and reunite her with her family.
