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Police have offered £20,000 for anyone with information about a teenage boy who went missing nearly two decades ago.

Alexander Sloley, from Islington, north London, was 16 when he disappeared in August 2008, days before his birthday, and his loved ones have had no contact with him since then.

The teenager, who was described as a light–skinned black male, 5ft 5ins and of medium build with striking blue eyes, was being exploited at the time of his disappearance and police are aware that he was being coerced into criminality by gangs in the area.

However, police are hoping that the reward – which has increased from £10,000 that was offered last March – will help encourage people who may have been similarly exploited by north London gangs at the time to speak out.

The accountancy student at City and Islington College had little money, no wallet and no bag with extra clothes to indicate he was planning to run away, police previously said.

On August 8, 2008, police were made aware that Alex's family and friends had not heard from him and an investigation was launched.

CCTV was combed through and repeated appeals for information were made to the public, who came forward with hundreds of reports of sightings over the years – however, none were fruitful.

An image of how he may look now has been shared as well as a photo of him around the time he disappeared to assist members of the public.

Alexander Sloley (pictured at disappearance), from Islington, north London, was 16 when he went missing in August 2008

In 2019, police released an e-fit of what Alex may have looked like aged 27 as part of a reopening of the investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur, who leads the investigation, said: 'We are continuing our efforts to find Alex and support his family who have spent the past 18 years desperately wanting answers.

'We are aware that at the time he went missing, Alex was a victim of exploitation and was being coerced into criminality by gangs in the area.

'We are looking to speak with anyone who believes they were exploited by gangs in North London around 2008 and may have seen Alex or have information to contact us.

'You will not be in trouble, but you may hold key information which could help us piece the jigsaw together.

'A £20,000 reward is on offer to anyone who provides information which could lead us to Alex.

'Over time allegiances can change and we hope that the offer of this substantial reward could help someone with information to come forward.'

He added: 'Over the years following the appeals we have made, our officers have reviewed hundreds of reports from people who believe they've seen Alex in London.

'Unfortunately, this information is yet to provide investigating officers with the information needed to find him.

'Alongside this appeal, we are continuing to put Alex's image out there, both at the time he went missing and how he may look now at the age of 34, in case anyone has seen him and can contact us.

'We remain committed to this investigation which I believe can be solved. If you are sitting on information, please do the right thing and contact us.'

Police have asked those with information to contact the investigation team directly, via phone or text message on 07860 369 603. Alternatively, information can be provided via 101 or submitted online.

Information can also be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Last year, Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur said he had met with Alex's mother, Nerissa Tivy, 'to outline how we intend to progress our investigation to find him', which was followed by the reward of £10,000 for information.

In 2019, police released an e-fit of what Alex may have looked like aged 27 as part of a reopening of the investigation.

At the time, Ms Tivy said it was emotional to see the e-fit of her son as an adult.

She said: 'It's a great picture of Alex and of how he might possibly look like now. Then you try to put a body to it and how he might be dressed and looking.

'He was quite a slick dresser, my son, he wasn't scruffy.

'There's no closure to this and, with all the appeals and knowing your child would not just run away, you start thinking something terrible has happened to him.

'I would love to see him walk through the door.'

People quizzed previously in connection with Alex's disappearance were re-interviewed in 2019.

At the time detectives said there was no proof Alex had been harmed and there was no evidence that it was linked to any other cases.

Detective Constable Tom Boon said in 2019: 'The hope is he is safe and well and somehow has managed to stay off the radar in terms of using bank accounts, passports, that sort of thing.

'As time goes on it becomes more and more concerning, although there's no proof of harm.'