Marine and mounted units search Lakeside for missing man

Essex Police marine and mounted units have been searching fields, lakes and roadsides for missing man Michael Forrest.

Mr Forrest, who is 63 and has dementia, has been missing from his home in Ockleford Avenue, Chelmsford for six weeks.

He is believed to have left home at about 8am on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 and was last seen six hours later at about 2pm at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Officers from the marine and mounted units have been searching lakes, roadsides and fields in areas around the centre and an officer boarded a bus Mr Forrest is believed to have taken from Chelmsford to Lakeside in hope of tracing anyone who may have seen or spoken to him.

A resident has told Essex Police they believe they saw Mr Forrest in conversation with someone on the 9.22am bus from Chelmsford and officers would like to trace them to see whether Mr Forrest discussed any plans he may have had with them.

On Tuesday, January 11 an Ad Van displaying Mr Forrest's photo patrolled areas around the centre and officers handed leaflets to shoppers.

CCTV footage showing Mr Forrest in a Tesco store at Lakeside on Tuesday, December 7 was also released a few weeks ago in the hope it would jog the memory of anyone who may have seen him.

Chief Inspector Joe Wrigley said, “We are asking anyone who used public transport from Lakeside whether they recognise Michael as a man who may have travelled with them.

"If they do recognise him do they know where he got off? Did he stay on the bus after you got off? Where was that bus heading? The answers to any of those questions may be crucial to us finding Michael."

Officers are extremely concerned for Mr Forrest's safety as his condition means he is often very confused. 

Mr Forrest, who worked for many years as a machine operator in Braintree, lived alone but had relatives in Scotland and Newcastle.

He is 5ft 8in tall and of slim build with brown eyes. He has white hair, a moustache and a Scottish accent.

Mr Forrest was last seen wearing a grey duffle coat over a V-necked short sleeved top, stripey light coloured shirt and black tracksuit bottoms. He is wearing glasses in the CCTV from Lakeside.

Anyone who has seen him should contact police at Chelmsford on 0300 333 4444.