Dartford; House Searched In Cold Case Investigation

Cold case detectives investigating the murder of a schoolgirl 20 years ago have searched a house in Dartford in connection with the inquiry.

Officers from Kent Police who are trying to find the killer of 16-year-old Claire Tiltman executed a search warrant in Myrtle Place, in Stone, near Dartford earlier today.

The teenager, an only child, was fatally stabbed in an alleyway off the A226 London Road in Greenhithe, Kent, on January 18 1993.

The Dartford Grammar School pupil was knifed more than 40 times in a frenzied attack as she took a short cut to visit a friend, four days after her 16th birthday.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate Cold Case Investigation Team conducted a search warrant at an address in Myrtle Place, Stone, near Dartford, on Thursday September 12 as part of their on-going inquiries into the historic murder of Claire Tiltman.

"It is standard practice that undetected murders such as Claire's will be reviewed regularly. The activity on Thursday September 12 is part of that ongoing review.''

Both of Claire's parents have now died, but her former schoolfriends have continued to campaign for justice over her death.

Claire's mother, Lin, died aged 56 in 2008, and her father, Cliff, died in September last year, months after he pleaded from his nursing home bed for information following years of campaigning.

In 2010, Mr Tiltman had hoped for a breakthrough when a hand-written cardboard sign left among flowers above a plaque where Claire was stabbed claimed to name the killer.

The mysterious sign also claimed to name the type of car he drove and the company he worked for.

A man was traced by police and co-operated with officers but he was later ruled out of inquiries, dashing any hope of closure for Mr Tiltman.

Kent Police have said that the case remains open, and a number of cold case reviews have been carried out.