Police make urgent appeal to trace missing pensioner

AN urgent appeal was made by police today for people in West Somerset to help find a Westcountry pensioner who has gone missing from a care home.
Police said they were becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Isabel Macdonald (pictured), aged 71.
She was last seen leaving her care home in Lindridge Road, Torquay, South Devon at 8.30 am on Saturday.
Now, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has circulated an appeal on behalf of the Devon and Cornwall force in an effort to widen the search for Mrs Macdonald.
She was described as white, 5 ft 2 in tall, of slight build, with wavy grey hair.
Mrs Macdonald was last seen wearing a light coloured grey mac and carrying a shoulder bag.
She walks with the aid of a stick.
Anybody who has had a sighting of Mrs Macdonald, or has any information as to her whereabouts, should contact Devon and Cornwall Police by calling 08452 777444 and quoting log number 837 24/01/09.

Missing Nafisa is found safe in London

A TEENAGE girl who went missing 13 days ago has been found safe and well, police said today.
Nafisa Diyar (pictured), aged 13, of Minehead, disappeared on Sunday, January 4, during a trip to a Devon activity park.
She was thought to have headed for London on board a train to contact a relative who lived in the city, although she never arrived at the woman’s address.
After an appeal for help from the public, Nafisa was discovered yesterday in Ealing, West London, although police did not issue any further details of what had happened to her.
Police had been concerned that Nafisa was ‘vulnerable’ because of her young age.
The media was thanked by police for its help in locating missing Nafisa.

Missing teenager sparks public appeal for help by police

POLICE have appealed for help from the public in finding a teenage girl who has gone missing from Minehead.
Thirteen-year-old Nafisa Diyar (pictured) has not been seen since Sunday, January 4.
She was on a trip to an activity park in Devon when she left the park without anybody knowing she had gone.
It was thought that Nafisa boarded a train to London and tried to contact a relative who lives in the city, but she failed to arrive at the woman’s address.
Police believe Nafisa headed to the Southall area of London, but she is also known to have links to Leicester.
Nafisa was said to be ‘vulnerable’ because of her young age.
She is described as having brown eyes and black afro-style hair and when last seen she was wearing blue jeans, a black and white striped hooded top, and a grey scarf.
Allyson Murray, who is co-ordinating the search for Nafisa, said: “I want to appeal to Nafisa to get in touch with me so that we know she is okay.
“If anybody has seen Nafisa since Sunday I would urge them to call me so that we can piece together Nafisa’s movements and find her.
“Please be vigilant when you are out and about and if you see Nafisa or have any other information about her, please call Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000.”

Police find missing mother and five girls in Germany

A MISSING mother and her five daughters, whom residents and visitors in West Somerset were asked to watch out for, have been found today in Germany.
The family disappeared from their home in Sunderland six months ago and a nationwide search was launched for them.
Now, Natalie Bracht, aged 34, who was said to suffer from a personality disorder, and her daughters aged from five to 13 years, have been found safe and well in Germany.
Northumbria Police were supported by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and other forces across the country and in Europe before the family was discovered in Munich.
The five children have been placed in the care of German authorities.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said they were working with their German counterparts and would speak with Ms Bracht ‘in due course’.
The spokesman said: “I am happy that the girls have been found safe and well.
“I would like to thank the public and the media for their help and assistance in this matter.”

• Our photographs of the family were released by police from CCTV taken at a London train station. Photos submitted.

Police appeal for help to trace 'vulnerable' missing man

POLICE are appealing for help from the public in West Somerset in tracing a missing man from Ramsden, Chipping Norton.
Andrew Wallis (pictured), aged 51, was last seen on November 12 and it is now thought he could be in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area.
Mr Wallis is described as white, around 6 ft 4 ins tall, of muscular build, and was clean shaven.
Sgt Phil Bennett, based at Chipping Norton police station, said: “We are concerned for Mr Wallis’ welfare as he is extremely vulnerable.
“I appeal to anybody who has seen a man of this description or knows of his whereabouts to please contact police immediately on 0845 8 505 505.”
Anybody with information which could assist police inquiries is urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505.
Or, if they do not want to speak directly to police and do not want to leave a name, they can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Police renew appeal for information about missing family

PEOPLE living and working in West Somerset are being asked to help in the search for a missing mother and her five daughters.
Police today released new CCTV stills of the family (pictured) and renewed their appeal for more information on their whereabouts.
Natalie Bracht, aged 35, left her home in Sunderland on May 17 with her daughters – who are aged between five and 13 years - when she learned they might be taken into care.
Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council's Children's Services were this week been granted a High Court order for public identification of the five girls as part of their efforts to trace Natalie and her daughters.
Det Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, who is leading the search, said: “Following the decision at the High Court to allow the identification of Natalie’s five daughters, we can today release for the first time these CCTV stills without obscuring the girls’ faces.
“They were taken on Saturday, May 17, at 6.20 pm, at King’s Cross Railway Station, in London.
“In them, Natalie is seen wearing a flowing white robe and head scarf while some of her daughters also seem to be wearing headscarves.
“We do not know how Natalie and the girls are dressed now - they may have altered their appearance several times – however, we are asking people to keep an eye open for them.”
The search for Natalie is being conducted nationwide.
Anybody with information can call Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043, or contact the Missing People charity on 0500 700 700 or email seensomeone@missingpeople.org.uk.
All calls and emails can be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Appeal by police to help find vulnerable woman missing on Exmoor

AN urgent appeal has been made by police for people to help to trace a high-risk vulnerable missing woman on Exmoor.
Celia Speirs, aged 75, went missing from an address in Dulverton, where she was staying on holiday with relatives, on Wednesday afternoon (May 14).
Mrs Speirs, who is from Scotland, was last seen at about 4.30 pm in Milham Lane, in Musgraves, walking in the direction of Brushford.
She is described as a white woman of slim build, about 5 ft 2 ins tall, with straight collar-length grey hair, and wearing glasses.
When she went missing, she was wearing a navy blue blouse with short sleeves, a navy blue skirt, and navy blue shoes.
Police are concerned that Mrs Speirs suffers with a short-term memory and would not know the area in which she went missing.
Although she might appear confused, it is likely she would speak to people.
She has a Scottish accent.
In addition to police officers and police community support officers searching for Mrs Speirs, the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team and police helicopter were also involved in trying to find her.
Police were concerned because it was believed Mrs Speirs did not have a coat or jacket with her when she went missing and could be vulnerable in bad overnight weather.
They are appealing for anybody in the Dulverton and Brushford area who spots a woman answering Mrs Speirs' description to contact them immediately.
Anybody who is able to help should call Taunton police station on 0845 4567000.