Villagers Join Police In Hunt For Missing Woman

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for Alethea TaylorHundreds of villagers have joined police searching for a woman who has been missing from her home at Orleton, near Ludlow, since Thursday morning (19 January).

Police in Herefordshire have thanked villagers for their help over the weekend and are now calling on farmers and other landowners to check outbuildings as concern grows for the safety of 63-year-old Alethea Taylor.

Mrs Taylor was last seen at around 8.30am on Thursday when her husband left home for work. There was no sign of her when he returned at 4pm.

West Mercia Police teams, including dog handlers, have been scouring the village and surrounding countryside and the force helicopter has been involved as has the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) whose members have been focusing on streams and other water courses. Tomorrow (Monday, 23 January) the Longtown Mountain Rescue team will bring their dogs to help with the search.

Hundreds of villagers, co-ordinated from the village hall, have also been out searching for Mrs Taylor since Friday with local people providing hot drinks and refreshments for the volunteers.

Detective Sergeant Andy Bennett of West Mercia Police said: "The villagers are like a small army and we have all been very impressed with their organisation and dedication to the task. This is obviously a tightly knit community and many of those helping are friends of Mrs Taylor or know her. We are most grateful for their assistance and they are doing a really good job.

"While we have searched the countryside directly around the village it is a vast rural area and we would appeal to farmers and other landowners both in the immediate area and further afield to check outbuildings in case Mrs Taylor has taken shelter in one of them.

"Naturally our concern for her wellbeing is growing as each day passes and this evening (Sunday) will be the fourth consecutive night she has been missing.

"We believe she is vulnerable and there are concerns about her mental state. No effort is being spared in the search for her and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they have seen her since last Thursday or has any idea where she might be to get in touch with us immediately.

"Alethea is described as being white, about 5ft 7inches tall, and as having short dark but slightly greying hair. When last seen she was wearing her night clothes but we still do not know what she was wearing when she left home."

Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000 or 101.

Issued: Sunday, 22 January 2012