The Surrey County Council leader has released a statement as police investigate the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.

She was found dead inside an address at Hammond Road, Woking by police on Thursday, August 10.

Sara was found following a 999 call made by a man who identified himself as Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif.

The call was made from Pakistan.

On arrival, police found Sara dead inside the property.

It is believed that this was her home address.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, has expressed his condolences for everyone affected by Sara’s murder.

He has confirmed that the council is undergoing standard process following the death of a child and that the National Child Safeguarding Panel has been notified of Sara’s death and a multi-agency rapid review is underway.

The rapid review will determine whether a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) will go ahead by the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership.

An LCSPR is a statutory process, bringing together police, health, social care and education to review practice of all agencies involved, organisation structures and learning.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council said: “An investigation is underway by Surrey Police following the tragic death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif and we are working tirelessly with our safeguarding partners to gain a full understanding of the situation as quickly as possible.

“This is an incredibly sad situation, and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected.

“We can confirm that, in line with standard process following the death of a child, the National Child Safeguarding Panel has been notified of the death and a multi-agency Rapid Review is underway.

“This Rapid Review will determine whether a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) is to be undertaken by the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership.

“A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review is a statutory process, bringing together partners including the Police, health, social care and education to review practice of all agencies involved, organisational structures and learning.”

Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: “Firstly, on behalf of Surrey Police, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences following Sara’s tragic death.

“Our thoughts are with her mother at this difficult time.

“We also fully appreciate the impact this devastating incident will have had within the local community.

“While the post-mortem has not provided us with an established cause of death at this time, the fact that we now know that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries over a sustained and extended period has significantly changed the nature of our investigation, and we have widened the timescale of the focus of our enquiry.

“As a result, we are trying to piece together a picture of Sara’s lifestyle but we cannot do this without the public’s help.

“That is why we are appealing for anyone who knew Sara, had any form of contact with her, or has any other information about her, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward as soon as possible.

Det Supt Chapman said: “In the meantime, I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything possible, including working with our partners and international agencies, to ensure that those responsible for Sara’s tragic and untimely death are brought to justice.”

Surrey Police and Sussex Police’s Major Crime Team launched an investigation to establish the circumstances of Sara’s death – an investigation which remains ongoing.

As a result, officers identified three people they would like to speak to as part of the ongoing investigation into Sara’s death.

These people have been identified as Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28.

Police believe that Urfan travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan, in company with his partner and his brother on Wednesday, August 9.

There were five children with them aged between a year and 13 years old.

As part of ongoing enquiries to locate these people, Surrey Police are continuing to work with international agencies, including Interpol, the National Crime Agency and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to progress our enquiries with the Pakistani authorities.

They are also working with local partners in Surrey to progress the safeguarding review and are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The death has also been reported to HM Coroner.

The post-mortem examination, which took place last Tuesday afternoon (August 15), did not establish the cause of Sara’s death and further tests are being carried out.

No timeframe has been outlined for how long these tests will take.

The post-mortem did, however, reveal that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, which are likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time.