Family appeal for information on missing teen

Christchurch Police investigating the disappearance of teenager Hayden Miles have released the following statement on behalf of Hayden's family.

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"Hayden has been missing since 22 August after he was last seen in the Linwood area. He has a loving and caring family who are extremely distressed by his disappearance.

"Hayden was just 15 years old when he disappeared. He was a quiet and shy person in some situations, and has had his ups and down like many teenagers. Hayden's passion was music and before he disappeared he was looking forward to attending a music course. He spent a lot of time on Facebook but there has been no activity by Hayden on his site since the time of his disappearance. He is not streetwise and could not easily live independently.

Hayden’s lack of contact with his family is totally out of character, and very concerning to us. We are aware that most missing people are found within 48 hours and as time goes on our fears for his wellbeing have grown. Since his disappearance Hayden has turned 16, which was a particularly difficult time for us all, but especially for his parents and sisters - not knowing is torturous. We believe that someone will know what has happened to Hayden and we are asking them to come forward and help the police with their investigation.

We will be making leaflet drops asking for information in Linwood, Hornby, Aranui, Bishopdale and Burnside the area that Hayden has grown up in. We want everyone in Christchurch to know what he looks like as we are hoping that this may trigger someone to recall something that will help us to find out what has happened.

With Christmas approaching, we would dearly love to have our Hayden home with us soon."

- Jacqui Miles (Hayden's mother) and Sandy Ward (Hayden's aunt)

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Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill says wide ranging enquiries into Hayden's disappearance are continuing.

"The last contact Hayden had with his family was on the day of his disappearance, when he called his mother on a passerby’s phone to say he had been assaulted and his phone had been taken off him.

"There is nothing to suggest these people are involved with Hayden's disappearance but we would like to eliminate them from our enquiries - so we would encourage them to come forward.

"We believe that at the time of his disappearance he had no phone or money and only the clothes he was wearing. He was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans and is of a slim build and approximately 170 cm tall (5ft 7in).

"We are asking that anyone with information on Hayden's whereabouts, or his movements on 22 August and since that date, to contact Christchurch Police on (03) 3637400. Alternatively, to give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.