Surrey Police officers investigating the disappearance of James Middleton on July 2 completed their search of Ashstead Common and Epsom Common on Sunday 16 July, and now are concentrating their investigations elsewhere.

Since he was last seen heading towards the Stew Ponds and Christ Church Area at lunchtime on July 2, police have thoroughly searched the common using the police helicopter (including infrared camera), police drone, search officers, trail bikes, boats and specially trained search dogs.

The search has received a huge boost from the work of the Surrey Search and Rescue volunteers (who have also deployed their own dogs and drone) and members of the local community who have scoured the common and shared leaflets and posters across the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston, who is leading the investigation, said:

“Despite all the search activity, there have been no confirmed sightings of James since he went missing, so officers are now concentrating their search on a wider area. Each of the possible sightings that has been reported to police is being revisited and CCTV from the wider area is also being re-examined.

Mr Middleton, and his mobility scooter would be very distinctive and I am surprised that we have not had any positive sightings since he went missing.

Today I want to be clear that the search for Mr Middleton is not over, and I want to reiterate that we have declared an amnesty on the mobility scooter. This means that anyone who may have found it thinking it had been abandoned can come forward without fear of prosecution. Our priority is finding out what has happened to Mr Middleton, and finding his mobility scooter would be a vital lead.”