Kent Police have taken the significant step of releasing never-before-seen CCTV footage, believed to show missing man Tom Phillips and one of his three children, in a major development of the long-running investigation.
The video, captured on a residential street, shows a figure walking with a young child. Detectives are urgently appealing to the public for help in identifying the individuals and the precise location, which remains unknown.
Mr. Phillips, along with his three children – aged six, four, and three – vanished from his home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in December 2021. The case has remained a high priority for authorities, with this new release marking a potential breakthrough.
The footage was recovered from a device found during a recent search of a property connected to the investigation. Police are treating the sighting as "potentially crucial" and are asking residents across the South East to scrutinise the video for any recognisable landmarks.
Detective Chief Inspector Ross Gurden, leading the investigation, stated: "This is a complex and extensive inquiry. We believe this footage could be of Tom and one of the children, but we need the public's help to confirm where and when it was taken. Any piece of information, no matter how small it may seem, could be vital."
The release of the CCTV coincides with the circulation of a new age-progression image of one of the missing children, aiming to show how they might look today. The police continue to work on the hypothesis that the children are still with their father.
An inquest into the death of Mr. Phillips's former partner, Brittany Higgins, was recently paused pending the outcome of the missing persons investigation, highlighting the interconnected and sensitive nature of the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kent Police dedicated incident room immediately.
