Police are today (Friday 9 November 2012) continuing the search for missing Harrogate man, Graham Roskell.
Mr Roskell was last seen on CCTV leaving Harrogate District Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for an infection which had spread to his brain, at around 8am on Saturday 3 November 2012.
Despite extensive searches since Mr Roskell’s disappearance he is still missing and the effort to locate him remains ongoing.
A number of specialist search teams are operating in and around the Harrogate area, checking the land around where Mr Roskell’s scent has been picked up by a highly-trained dog.
- The Regional Underwater Search Unit is searching the River Nidd from Harrogate to Knaresborough, placing particular focus on the Little Ribston area.
- The Skipton Mountain Rescue Team is also assisting with the search, covering open land between Harrogate District Hospital and Kirk Hammerton.
- A specialist team from North Yorkshire Police is also continuing to search around Spofforth, Little Ribston and Mr Roskell’s home village of Kirk Hammerton.
Inspector Dave Hall, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
It is now almost a week since Mr Roskell was reported missing and the search for him is intensifying.
We have a number of highly-trained, specialist officers assisting with the search alongside support for the Skipton Mountain Rescue Team. We will leave no stone unturned in the effort to find Mr Roskell.
We are also checking CCTV footage and investigating every reported sighting of Mr Roskell that has been reported to us.
Inspector Hall added that the public can play a part in the search for Mr Roskell by providing information and checking their properties for any trace of him.
Inspector Dave Hall added:
I would like to thank the public for the continued interest they have shown in our efforts to trace Mr Roskell and the overwhelming support they have given to his family and friends at this very difficult time. The information they provide can be very useful to our search strategy.
We know that Mr Roskell was trained in survival techniques so he does have a knowledge of how to look after himself out in the open.
I am urging people to check their outbuildings, sheds, barns and garages for any signs that someone has been taking shelter in them.
Anniversary
Tomorrow (Saturday 10 November 2012) marks a week since Mr Roskell was last seen leaving Harrogate District Hospital.
Officers are holding a community engagement event at the Leeds Road shops in an effort to jog the memories of people who may have visited the hospital the previous week and have information that could assist the investigation into Mr Roskell’s disappearance.
The officers will also be handing out leaflets and posters to members of the public.
Mr Roskell is described as white, 65-years-old, 5ft 11in tall, with a medium build. He has greyish white straight hair, and although he was wearing glasses when he was last seen he doesn’t need them all the time.
When he was reported missing Mr Roskell was wearing black leather lace up shoes, olive green trousers and a cream and green horizontally striped rugby style top. He was also wearing a black wrist watch, and was carrying a navy blue fleece knee-length dressing gown that was rolled up.
Anyone with information that can help officers locate Graham Roskell is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Harrogate police.
