A TEAM of specialists has been called in to help police bring the killer of 13-year-old Lucy McHugh to justice.

Hampshire Constabulary has enlisted the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of an effort to bolster its investigation.

Lucy was found dead at Southampton Sports Centre at 7.45am on Thursday, July 26.

READ: Five ways you can help the police in their investigation

PHOTOS: The route Lucy McHugh might have taken on the day before her body was found

The last confirmed sighting of her was at the Tesco Express at the corner of Coxford Road and Lordswood Road at 9.30am on Wednesday, July 25.

Her body was discovered the next day.

Det Supt Paul Barton said: "My dedicated team has been working around the clock to find Lucy’s killer and we are making progress.

"To support their efforts, we’re making the most of the national resources available to us and have called upon the NCA’s major crime support team.

"The team offers specialist investigative skills in key areas such as serious crime analysis, research, digital media and behavioural science.

"They are already working with local detectives as we piece together what happened to Lucy.

"As we continue to do everything we can, we still need the public’s support.

"Someone out there knows something and we urge anyone with information to come forward.

"It’s never too late to get in touch, even with something that may have seemed insignificant at the time.

"If any of Lucy’s friends are worried about only coming forward now – please don’t. Your piece of information could make the difference."

Last week Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Lucy's murder.

Emily van der Lely, Crimestoppers spokeswoman, said: “This is every family’s worst nightmare, to have their child taken away from them at such a young age, it’s heartbreaking."

Meanwhile Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that it had asked Facebook to "preserve" the account of suspect Stephen-Alan Nicholson.

It is understood that the request is a lengthy process as the US-based internet giant is not obliged to provide the information and the application will have to be approved by the US Department of Justice.

Earlier in the investigation Nicholson, 24, from Southampton, was charged with an offence which relates to failing to disclose a password to his Facebook account to detectives investigating Lucy’s murder.

He was also arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child.

Nicholson was remanded in custody following a court hearing.

Anyone who has information on the incident is asked to call 101, quoting Operation Refund, or visit https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/hr2xCq7EEskQzA5SZVj26.