POLICE have commended a member of a community group for the help he gave them in tracing a missing 15year-old girl.

Saeed Omar, 41, was given a borough commander's citation for tracking down the Somalian teenager after she went missing from a care home in June last year.

He kept in regular contact with the girl's family, gathering information which assisted the police in locating her in Somalia, where she remains.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Robin Merrett, who presented Mr Omar with the citation, says he showed "dedication and perseverance in assisting the police in a complex missing person inquiry".

Mr Omar is a member of the Independent Advisory Group (IAG), a voluntary group which works with police, acting as a bridge between them and the community.

If you are interested in joining the IAG, call its chairman Illkay Chirali on 020 8306 6736.