Detectives have renewed their appeal to the public to help find missing student nurse Owami Davies who could possibly still be in the local area and in need of help.

Officers working on the investigation have retrieved some 50,000 hours of footage and have so far viewed about 10,000 hours, a Met spokesman said with reports of someone of Owami’s description being seen in the Croydon area in the days after she was last seen on CCTV.

The police also reassured the community they were doing ‘all we can do to find Owami’ after criticism on social media of the lack of coverage of her disappearance.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would also appeal to anyone who may be helping Owami, or Owami if you see this message, please be assured you are not in any trouble at all.

“We are only concerned for your welfare and want to make sure you are okay. You can contact us, or a charity like Missing People on 116 000 and just speak to let us know that you are okay. Owami, your family love you and are desperate for news, they would be overjoyed to hear you are safe.”

The last CCTV footage of the 24-year-old showed her looking disorientated as she walked along London Road towards Norbury at 12.30pm on Thursday, 7 July.

Owami who is seen wearing a dark jacket, red t-shirt, light grey joggers, slider type shoes and carrying a white handbag over her shoulder appears to stumble as she passes a vegetable stall on London Road and can be seen holding her right side.

Prior to this CCTV showed her just after midnight, also on July 7, in a shop on Derby Road, West Croydon, wearing different clothing.

Investigators had previously appealed for the driver of a white van that was parked in Derby Road  to come forward.

She and a man crossed the road just as the van pulled out. Another unconfirmed sighting placed her in nearby Clarendon Road later that morning (also July 7), at about 7am.

Despite five arrests, two on suspicion of murder and three on suspicion of kidnap  (all have been released on bail) police say this is still a  missing persons inquiry.

DCI Penney added: “I would urge people to look at the photos of Owami and contact us if they have seen her or remember seeing her in the area. We have already had outstanding support from the local community, partners and businesses and we appreciate everyone who has contacted us or helped publicise the search for Owami.

“I know Owami’s family are grateful for all the help the public have given, please continue to help by calling police if you have any information. Your call could be the vital information that helps us find Owami safe and well.”

Owami left her family home in Grays, Essex, on Monday  July 4, and her mother, Nicol Davies, previously told PA news agency: “It is obvious that someone out there has seen something, someone out there knows something, someone. out there heard something.

“I am begging, I am asking for the public’s help, from the people, to say if you know, if you have heard or seen her, or she passed you, please speak up.”

She added that Owami was “really happy” before she disappeared, with two months left of her studies and having secured a job with Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital in London.

She had also worked in A&E through the pandemic, and was interested in researching diseases.

The Met has also sought the support of the National Crime Agency to draw on their specialists capabilities – from within the Major Crime Investigative Support Command.

Local people and organisations have leafleted shops along the route withe flyers appealing for information on Owami’s whereabouts and asking passers-by to look out for her.

South Area Commander Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, said:“I can assure our community that all we can do to find Owami is being done. We are working closely with our colleagues in Specialist Crime, who are used to dealing with large, complex investigations and we are providing them all the assistance we can in this extensive inquiry. Everyone, I am sure, is hoping that Owami is safe and well and this nightmare for her friends and family will finally end.

“We understand the real anxiety that is currently felt in our community and we have additional officers patrolling to reassure you. Please do take the opportunity to speak to these officers about your concerns, they are there to help you and answer any questions you may have.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4622 where detectives are waiting to speak to you. Information provided will be handled sensitively and anyone who comes forward to assist officers will be given every support.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. They are separate from the police, they do not trace calls or monitor IP addresses. To contact them, either call 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org