Police officers searching for missing Stephen Simmons have released a new image of him as part of a new appeal for help to find him.
Stephen, 62, was first reported missing on the evening of April 6, when he failed to return home or contact his family. Police investigating his disappearance have now revealed that Stephen was last sighted on CCTV in the Saint Luke's Terrace area of Pallion, Sunderland.
Specifically, he was captured on camera outside of Downey's DIY store at around 9.32am that day, but there have been no confirmed sightings of Stephen since then. The police and his family are increasingly concerned for his welfare.
The new CCTV image has been released in hope of encouraging anyone who might have seen Stephen to come forward or share information as to his whereabouts.
Det Ch Insp Rob Bosson, of Northumbria Police, said: "Extensive enquiries have been ongoing in a bid to find Stephen, since he was reported missing more than one week ago. Unfortunately, those enquiries have not yet lead us to find Stephen – therefore, I am continuing to appeal to members of the community, particularly in Sunderland, for their help.
"We have today released a new CCTV image of Stephen on Saint Luke’s Terrace, captured on Thursday, April 6, not long after he first left his house in the Mortimer Street area earlier that morning. We hope this CCTV helps people build a clearer picture of what Stephen looks like, and what he was last seen wearing."
The senior cop also urged people to check CCTV or dashcam footage, and to check gardens and outhouses in case Stephen has become lost or collapsed.
“We’re also asking people to check any CCTV, dashcam footage they might have access to – and also to please check gardens and outhouses in case he has gotten lost or collapsed.
“Your information, no matter how insignificant you feel it may be, could prove really valuable to our search,” Det Ch Insp Bosson added.
Stephen is described as a white male of slim build, around 5ft 9in tall, with grey hair, and a tattoo on his right forearm. He has links to the Pallion and Ashbrooke areas of Sunderland – and is believed to be wearing a grey jumper with black and white on it, grey tracksuit bottoms with a green quilted jacket and pale blue trainers.
Stephen, or anyone who has seen him, is asked to call 101 immediately quoting the police reference number NP-20230406-1234.
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