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Missing Sophie Smith: Police scale back search | Missing Sophie Smith: Police scale back search |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The search for a missing student who disappeared the day after Christmas is being scaled back after police "exhausted" all lines of inquiry. | The search for a missing student who disappeared the day after Christmas is being scaled back after police "exhausted" all lines of inquiry. |
Sophie Smith, 21, walked out of her house in Gorleston, Norfolk, wearing just a pair of shorts and vest top at 03:00 GMT. | Sophie Smith, 21, walked out of her house in Gorleston, Norfolk, wearing just a pair of shorts and vest top at 03:00 GMT. |
Norfolk Police, which said it was most likely she went into the sea, confirmed it was scaling back its search. | Norfolk Police, which said it was most likely she went into the sea, confirmed it was scaling back its search. |
Volunteers have vowed to continue looking for her. | Volunteers have vowed to continue looking for her. |
Ms Smith was spotted on CCTV heading towards the beach shortly after leaving her home in Avondale Road, close to the seafront. | Ms Smith was spotted on CCTV heading towards the beach shortly after leaving her home in Avondale Road, close to the seafront. |
The University of East Anglia student had been treated for severe anxiety and depression before she disappeared. | The University of East Anglia student had been treated for severe anxiety and depression before she disappeared. |
The HM Coastguard said it had assisted police in its search and estimated it had combed more than 34 miles (54km) of coastline. | |
Ms Smith's father, Martin Knowles, who is separated from his daughter's mother, said he first learned about the operation being scaled down on BBC Radio Norfolk. | |
"It is disappointing that no officer made contact with me to say it had been scaled down," he said. | "It is disappointing that no officer made contact with me to say it had been scaled down," he said. |
Police had said all lines of inquiry had been followed with no result. | |
A spokeswoman added: "We have been in close contact with Sophie's family since her disappearance who have been updated on every stage of the police investigation. | |
"In these cases updates are usually provided to a single point of contact who in turn can update the wider family and friends network." | |
The police, coastguard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue have all assisted in scouring the area. | The police, coastguard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue have all assisted in scouring the area. |
Scores of volunteers, including Ms Smith's family, have also been involved in the effort and posters have been distributed. | Scores of volunteers, including Ms Smith's family, have also been involved in the effort and posters have been distributed. |
The Find Sophie Smith Facebook group, which has 29,500 members, had organised search parties but put plans on hold for the next few days due to weather concerns. | The Find Sophie Smith Facebook group, which has 29,500 members, had organised search parties but put plans on hold for the next few days due to weather concerns. |
Air observation charity UK Civil Air Patrol carried out a search flight on New Year's Eve and said it planned to fly as often as it could over the next two weeks or until Ms Smith was found. | Air observation charity UK Civil Air Patrol carried out a search flight on New Year's Eve and said it planned to fly as often as it could over the next two weeks or until Ms Smith was found. |
A £5,000 reward for her safe return has also been offered by a Gorleston building firm, while Norfolk artist Ruddy Muddy - who draws pictures in dirt of vehicles - has created an appeal poster on a van. | A £5,000 reward for her safe return has also been offered by a Gorleston building firm, while Norfolk artist Ruddy Muddy - who draws pictures in dirt of vehicles - has created an appeal poster on a van. |