Image source, Police handout Image caption,

Authorities said Sara Sharif had suffered "multiple and extensive injuries", likely caused over a sustained period of time

By Tanya Gupta & Angus Moorat

BBC News

Police have had "historic" contact with the family of a 10-year-old girl who was found murdered at her home, a senior officer has said.

Det Supt Mark Chapman of Surrey Police said the interaction with Sara Sharif's family "goes back some years".

It follows Surrey County Council's disclosure that the family, from Woking, were known to the authorities.

Three family members went to Pakistan before Sara's body was found on 10 August and are wanted by the police.

Det Supt Chapman told the BBC: "Surrey Police's contact with the family has been on a limited basis. It's been on a historic basis. And that goes back some time."

He said police interaction with the Sharif family "goes back some years" but declined to expand on his comment.

The police officer also said the force had not referred the case to the police watchdog, adding: "Surrey Police have reviewed the position and it doesn't fulfil the criteria to alert the Independent Office of Police Complaints."