Boy 'held captive for eight years'

Police have appealed for the public to help identify a teenage boy who says he was held prisoner in his own home for up to eight years.

The mystery boy was found by a member of the public crying near Tower Bridge, south London, in March.

Believed to be 12 or 13, he says he had never been allowed out of his Tottenham home and has never attended school.

The boy says he was never allowed out alone

He also told police that he was intermittently physically abused and tortured.

The boy, who is of North African or Asian origin, said he taught himself English from watching television.

He has now started school and is being looked after by social services, police said.

Police hope that by issuing a photograph they will learn more about the boy's past.

Det Sgt Iain MacPherson said police still did not know whether the boy was released or managed to escape.

He is now doing "very well" settling in to his new life, he said.

Anyone who knows the boy, his family, or the circumstances of his life should contact the Child Protection Team in Camberwell on 020 7232 6356 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.