DNA samples taking during the Sally Anne Bowman investigation have been destroyed.

More than 1100 samples were taken voluntarily by police hunting for the 18-year-old's killer after she was found murdered outside her home in South Croydon on September 25, 2005.

Her murderer, Mark Dixie, 39, was found guilty after a DNA match was made between him and samples taken from the murder scene.

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has now received final confirmation from the Metropolitan Police of the destruction of voluntary DNA samples provided by members of the public during the investigation.

Mr Ottaway said: “It appears that the original figure given to me by the Metropolitan Police of 1,770 DNA samples was in fact incorrect, as the 1,770 figure included other samples and exhibits logged by police during the inquiry.

“I have now been informed that the actual number of volunteer DNA samples taken from members of the public was 1,633, of which 1,165 were volunteer samples that have been destroyed.

“468 samples have, with the consent of the individuals, been loaded onto the National DNA database.

“A number of local residents have continued to express their interest in this matter and I hope that these final figures will be helpful in setting minds at ease on this important DNA issue.”