Search widens for missing Christchurch teen

Hayden Miles. Photo / Supplied

A search and rescue team will join the search for missing Christchurch teenager Hayden Miles as the hunt is expanded to abandoned houses in the area around the property where the 16-year-old was last seen.

Christchurch police are search the area around the suburban Linwood house and a specialist search and rescue team will search in the wider vicinity of the Cashel St property where a scene examination has been under way this week.

Hayden has not been seen since August 22.

After a heartfelt public appeal by family last month, the police hunt ramped up on Friday with a forensic examination of a dilapidated property at 612 Cashel St in the eastern suburb of Linwood where there had been "some sort of incident'' involving Hayden.

There had been "mixed reports'', according to police, that the youngster had been mugged shortly before his disappearance.

Hayden last spoke to his mother Jacqui from an unknown person's cellphone in the Linwood area before going to a friend's house on Cashel St on August 22.

That was the last time anyone has seen or heard of him.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill said today that the SAR phase was part of the ongoing enquiry to determine what happened in and around the location August 22.

"This is a further step in building a picture of events on that day and the days after,'' he says. "We will be looking for evidence, such as clothing or other items that may have been discarded, and aiming to narrow down the possibilities of what has happened to Hayden.

"There are a number of unoccupied addresses in the vicinity and these will be a focus for the search phase.''

Mr Hill said the forensic examination at the Cashel Street property was continuing today and could continue for a further two days.

"The size of the property and the multiple dwellings on the site have made this a slower process than initially anticipated.

"The investigation team is also continuing to speak to various people who have come forward during the enquiry. We are making good progress in establishing the events surrounding Hayden's disappearance.''