27 Jul, 2017 16:04 News

The search for James Middleton continued today (Thursday, 27 July) as the volunteers of the Sussex Community Search Team scoured vast amounts of land adjacent to the A243 Kingston Road in Leatherhead and Ashtead.

The 70-year-old, who is known as Jim, was reported missing on Sunday, 2 July after going out at around midday on his light blue mobility scooter and not returning home as expected.

Since he was last seen heading towards the Stew Ponds and Christ Church Area at lunchtime on July 2, police and community search teams have explored the common using the police helicopter, drones, Surrey and Sussex Search and Rescue, trail bikes, boats and specially trained search dogs.

Thank you to those who have contacted us about Mr Middleton’s disappearance. CCTV footage and possible sightings from the public have been followed up, sadly to no avail.

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

“As we approach the four-week anniversary of Mr Middleton’s disappearance, we’d like to extend our thanks to the volunteers who have given so much of their time to the numerous searches of the Ashtead Common area. The searches of Ashtead Common and Epsom Common have now been completed and we are now concentrating our search elsewhere. We urge anyone who may have seen Jim on 2 July, or in the days and weeks since, to come forward with any information.”

Mr Middleton is described as white, 5ft 6 inches tall, of large build, with brown greying hair. He was wearing a blue body warmer, dark grey shorts, blue trainers, white ankle socks and was riding his 4-wheeled light blue mobility scooter.

If you have any information, please call 101 (999 in an emergency) and quote reference number P17165048.