More than 100 help search for missing 80-year-old

A community in Suffolk has organised a search party in the hope of finding an 80-year-old man who has been missing for five days.

Alan Wilson left the Rogers Close area of Felixstowe on foot just before 16:15 BST on Monday and was last seen on the same day at 17:38 in nearby Trimley St Martin.

Since then Suffolk Police, HM Coastguard, the National Police Air Service and volunteers from Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue have been looking for him.

On Thursday evening, more than 100 residents from the local area took to the streets in support of the search effort, but Wilson is still missing.

It came after Amanda Folley, East Suffolk Council ward member for Western Felixstowe, issued a plea on social media.

"We might be a big town, but we're fully community spirited. When things like this happen, everyone wants to help. We all want to muck in," she said.

"It has been incredible and everyone's given their all – we all care about each other here and we will all continue looking for him."

The search party was divided into six groups before searching in Old Felixstowe, the seafront, around the docks and Landguard Point, and up to Levington "and beyond".

Folley said Alan's family was "extremely concerned" for his welfare and just "want to make sure he is safe".

"I actually know Alan. He's a member of my ward and I represent him on the council, so it was very much a case of we've got to do something," she added.

"His family is gobsmacked by the outpouring of support."

After leaving the Rogers Close area, Wilson, who is without "important medication", was captured on nearby CCTV footage.

He was wearing a black long-sleeved light jacket, light grey slack-type trousers, and dark shoes and glasses.

Then, at 16:30, he took the number 75 bus outside the Half Moon Pub on the High Street, travelling towards Trimley St Martin.

At 17:32, the missing man, who was not believed to have any money or a phone on him, was captured on door camera footage walking along St Martin's Green in Trimley St Martin.

The latest sighting of him was six minutes later on a path by the roundabout connecting High Road, Gosling Way, Roundhouse Avenue and Howlett Way.

Det Insp Donna Hopper said the force had received reported sightings and video footage and urged residents to look in their gardens, outside areas and outbuildings.

She said: "I would again like to thank members of the public for the continued support and information they have provided so far.

"If you see Alan, please do not assume someone else has already reported the sighting. We would encourage you to approach him and speak with him and contact police immediately by calling 999."

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