Missing Bolton Girl: New Manchester Piccadilly Sighting 2026

Key Points

• A new CCTV sighting has been made in connection to the missing case of 13-year-old girl Lillia from Bolton, Greater Manchester.
• According to Greater Manchester Police, Lillia was spotted at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on Monday, September 14.
• The police stated that she got onto the number 36 bus in Salford and later alighted at Piccadilly.
• She was reported missing by her family members on September 11.
• The police are going through CCTV footage and conducting investigations on movements within Greater Manchester.
• An appeal is being made by the police for passengers of number 36 bus and people who might have been at Piccadilly Gardens on September 13.
• Lillia is described as a white, slim and approximately 5ft 5in girl with light brown hair and wearing glasses.
• Tips on her whereabouts can be given to Greater Manchester Police through 101 or the Major Incident Portal.
• Anonymous tips can also be given to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
• Police have stated that they are keeping an open mind regarding the chances of Lillia traveling out of the Manchester region.

Bolton ( Manchester Mirror) September 19, 2026 – Radio NewsHub reported in 2026 that a new sighting has been identified in the search for missing 13-year-old girl Lillia, who was reported missing by her family on September 11.

Greater Manchester Police said CCTV showed Lillia at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on Monday, September 14. According to the police update reported by Radio NewsHub, this is the most recent confirmed sighting currently known to investigators.

The new information follows an earlier sighting the same morning, when Lillia was seen boarding the number 36 bus from Salford. Police said she later got off the bus at Manchester Piccadilly.

The number 36 service travels from Bolton through Salford and into Manchester city centre. Investigators are appealing to passengers who may have travelled on the bus with Lillia, as well as people who saw her boarding in Salford or leaving the service at Piccadilly.

When was the missing girl last confirmed seen?

Greater Manchester Police said the last confirmed sighting of Lillia was at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on Monday, September 14.

As reported by Radio NewsHub, Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Bolton district, said officers had identified the CCTV footage while continuing to examine information connected with the disappearance.

The police account stated that Lillia had boarded the number 36 bus in Salford and exited at Manchester Piccadilly. Officers are now seeking anyone who may have been travelling on the service at the time or who may have been present at either location.

The latest confirmed sighting gives investigators a specific time and place to examine. Police are reviewing available CCTV footage and tracing possible movements before and after Lillia was seen at the bus station.

What does Lillia look like?

Lillia is described as:

• White.
• Slim.
• Around 5ft 5in tall.
• In possession of light brown hair.
• Wearing glasses.

Members of the public are being asked to consider whether they saw someone matching this description on the number 36 bus, at Salford, at Manchester Piccadilly or elsewhere in Greater Manchester.

Police appeals involving missing children can depend on information from members of the public who may have noticed a person without realising that they were connected to an ongoing investigation. GMP has therefore asked people to report information even if it appears minor.

What has Greater Manchester Police said?

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley thanked the public and media for continuing to support the search.

As reported by Radio NewsHub, Critchley said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public and the media for your continued support as we continue our inquiries to locate Lillia.”

She also referred to Lillia’s family and friends, saying that officers’ thoughts remained with them. Critchley thanked Lillia’s mother for supporting the police appeals and described her as having shown “incredible strength” during the search.

According to the statement reported by Radio NewsHub, Critchley said officers were making every effort to locate Lillia. She added that police teams had been working through hours of CCTV footage and exploring every possible line of inquiry.

The senior officer confirmed that the September 14 sighting at Manchester Piccadilly was the latest known current sighting. She also explained that the number 36 bus had travelled from Bolton through Salford and into Manchester city centre.

Critchley appealed directly to anyone who had information about Lillia’s movements or who had used the bus at the relevant time.

Which other location are police investigating?

Police are also appealing for information about a possible sighting in Piccadilly Gardens on Sunday, September 13.

GMP said it was particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the area at approximately 8.20pm or who saw Lillia in McDonald’s at that time.

This appeal is separate from the confirmed sighting at Manchester Piccadilly bus station on September 14. Information about both locations could assist officers in establishing Lillia’s movements and identifying people who may have seen her.

Anyone who was in Piccadilly Gardens or inside the McDonald’s at the stated time is being asked to contact police if they remember seeing Lillia or have relevant information.

How wide is the police investigation?

Greater Manchester Police said the investigation currently covers the whole of Greater Manchester.

Officers across the force have been asked to support the inquiries, while police continue to review CCTV and examine possible routes that Lillia may have taken.

Although the latest confirmed sighting was in Manchester, investigators said they were keeping an open mind about the possibility that Lillia may have travelled outside the area. The police statement did not confirm that she had left Greater Manchester, but it said this possibility was being considered as part of the investigation.

The appeal therefore extends beyond Bolton, Salford and Manchester city centre. People who believe they may have seen Lillia elsewhere are also being asked to report what they know.

How can people provide information?

Anyone with information about Lillia’s whereabouts or movements can contact Greater Manchester Police by calling 101.

Information can also be submitted through the dedicated Greater Manchester Police Major Incident Portal.

Police have asked people to report information regardless of how insignificant it may appear. Details about sightings, travel, locations, conversations or movements could help officers build a clearer timeline.

People who want to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. According to the police appeal reported by Radio NewsHub, Crimestoppers does not ask callers for their details and does not reveal who contacted the organisation.

Members of the public should avoid approaching or confronting anyone they believe may be connected to the case. Any immediate concern about Lillia’s safety should be reported to the police.

What information should witnesses provide?

People contacting police should provide as much precise information as possible, including:

• The date and approximate time of the sighting.
• The exact location.
• The direction in which Lillia was travelling.
• Whether she was alone or with another person.
• Details of any bus or other transport involved.
• Clothing or belongings that may help identify her.
• Any photographs, video or CCTV information that can be shared lawfully.
• The witness’s own contact details, unless they choose to report anonymously.

Passengers who travelled on the number 36 bus on the morning of September 14 are specifically encouraged to come forward. Police are also interested in information from people who saw Lillia boarding in Salford or getting off at Manchester Piccadilly.

What has not been confirmed by police?

Greater Manchester Police has confirmed the sighting at Manchester Piccadilly bus station and said it is the latest known confirmed sighting. However, the force has not confirmed Lillia’s current whereabouts.

Police have also not confirmed whether she travelled outside Greater Manchester. The statement said officers were keeping an open mind and considering that possibility while continuing their inquiries.

No conclusion about the reason for Lillia’s disappearance has been given in the police information reported by Radio NewsHub. The investigation remains active, and members of the public should rely on official updates rather than speculation or unverified social media posts.

Background to the development

Lillia, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was reported missing by her family on September 11. Greater Manchester Police subsequently issued appeals for information as officers worked to establish her movements.

The inquiry has involved the examination of CCTV footage and appeals linked to public transport and locations in Manchester. Police identified a possible sighting in Piccadilly Gardens on the evening of September 13 and later confirmed that CCTV showed Lillia at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on September 14.

The number 36 bus is relevant to the investigation because police said Lillia was seen boarding the service in Salford and later leaving it at Piccadilly. The route connects Bolton, Salford and Manchester city centre, creating several locations where members of the public may have seen her.

Greater Manchester Police said officers across the force were supporting the investigation. The force also said it was considering the possibility that Lillia could have travelled beyond the Manchester area, while continuing to investigate all available information.

The details in this report are based on the police information reported by Radio NewsHub. The publication identifies Greater Manchester Police and Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley as the sources for the confirmed sightings and public appeal.

How could this development affect the public?

The new sighting may help police create a more detailed timeline of Lillia’s movements between Salford and Manchester. For residents, commuters and passengers who used the number 36 bus on September 14, the appeal provides a specific route, time and location to check against their memories, travel records or footage.

People in Bolton, Salford, Manchester city centre and other parts of Greater Manchester may also be more alert to the description issued by police. The investigation could affect transport users, businesses and residents who hold CCTV recordings covering the relevant locations.

The development does not confirm where Lillia is now, but it gives investigators a confirmed point from which to continue tracing her movements. Public cooperation could assist the inquiry, particularly if witnesses provide accurate information quickly through official channels.

Members of the public should avoid sharing unverified claims, publishing personal details or attempting to investigate independently. The most useful response is to pass relevant information directly to Greater Manchester Police through 101 or the Major Incident Portal, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.