The Metropolitan Police have launched an urgent public appeal to help locate a 12-year-old boy who has been missing from his home in East London since Thursday evening.
Growing Concern for Yafee's Welfare
Yafee was last seen by a family member at approximately 5:05pm on Thursday, 4th December 2025, on Khartoum Road in the Newham area. The location is just off Barking Road, south of Plaistow Park. He was reported missing to police later that evening at 8:38pm, prompting an immediate and extensive search operation.
Detective Inspector Sam Lockstone expressed the force's deepening anxiety, stating: "With every hour that passes since Yafee was last seen, we are becoming increasingly worried. This disappearance is entirely out of character." He emphasised the particular concern given the cold weather, noting Yafee was potentially alone on the streets in his school uniform with no phone or means to get help.
Description and Appeal for Public Help
Yafee is described as being of Asian appearance with brown hair. He is around 5 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build. When he vanished, he was wearing his school uniform: a black blazer, black trousers, and a black and yellow tie. He was also carrying a distinctive black Nike rucksack.
Police and his family have been conducting thorough searches of the local area and speaking to his friends, but there have been no confirmed sightings so far. The investigation is ongoing.
Specific Appeal to Night Workers and Drivers
Detective Inspector Lockstone made a direct plea to those who might be out during the late and early hours: "I’m appealing to those people who are up and about at this hour – the cab and bus drivers, people doing deliveries or those travelling home from the night shift or travelling in for an early start. Please keep your eyes open for any sign of Yafee."
He urged the public not to hesitate if they think they have seen him, adding: "If you see someone who you think might be him, even if you’re not certain, please call us immediately. Your information could be vital to help us focus our search."
The police's absolute priority is finding Yafee safe and well and reuniting him with his very worried family. Anyone who sees Yafee is instructed to call 999 immediately, quoting reference number 7098/04DEC. Anyone with other information should call 101 with the same reference.
