Bocking: Drones and Marine Unit searching for Martyn

Officers supported by thermal imaging drones have continued to search for Martyn Richardson, who last seen on the evening of Saturday 24 August.

This weekend saw more than a dozen officers return to the area he was last seen and where his bike was discovered, widening the search area even further with the support of Essex Search and Rescue.

Our Marine Unit and Drone Unit have also been used to survey the hardest to reach spaces in this area, using thermal imaging cameras to detect any heat sources.

Martyn was last seen in the Bocking area at around 8.30pm Saturday evening, just over two weeks ago, and reported missing when he hadn’t returned home the following day.

He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath with a stripe down the arms, black fleece shorts, and black shoes.

He also had a blue bike with him, which we recovered undamaged from the search area.

We still want to speak to four people we believe may have seen Martyn on the Saturday evening he went missing, and may have crucial information about his movements.

Superintendent Sharn Taylor said:

“A group of three dog walkers, and an individual person, were both seen walking in The Chase, close to Dorewards Avenue and Dorewards Farm, at about 8.45pm on Saturday 24 August.
“We need to identify and speak to these people to establish if they saw Martyn that night.
“Finding these potential witnesses is just one part of the work we have ongoing to try and find Martyn, and those in Bocking will have seen an increased police presence while we’ve searched.
“We have been going door-to-door to speak to residents, reviewing all the CCTV we have gathered, and have carried out checks on his phone and bank.
“All this work is only possible thanks to the support of all the partner agencies we work with, especially Essex Search and Rescue who were out again this weekend in Bocking.
“We continue to remain open minded about what’s happened to Martyn. Like his family, with every day that passes we a growing more and more concerned.”

Martyn’s Nan, Mary, said:

“Martyn is a dearly loved member of our family and we just want him back home.
“He is a sensitive and loving boy who would help anyone if he could.
“We are desperate for any news of Martyn’s whereabouts or information that can help the police find out where he is.
“Martyn, if you can see this, please get in touch with us or the police. We love and just want you home safe.”

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

Please quote incident 324 of 25 August.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.

In an emergency always call 999.