Officers searching for a missing teenage boy, believed to be in the Bournemouth area, are appealing for information from the public to help find him.

Cartel Bushnell was reported missing in Manchester last month and is known to have links in Wiltshire, so recent enquiries have been led by detectives from Wiltshire Police.

Subsequent enquiries have established at Cartel may have been in the Bournemouth area over recent days, including the Lower Gardens in the town.

Dorset Police has now taken over the investigation into his disappearance.

He is described as around five feet six inches tall and of slender build with dark brown hair.

Inspector Barry Gosling, of Dorset Police, said: “Cartel has been missing for a number of weeks and we are keen to locate him to make sure he is all right.

“Enquiries indicate he may be travelling around the south west region, however there has been a sighting of him in Bournemouth town centre this week.

“I would urge anyone with information as to his whereabouts, or who has seen a teenage boy matching the description given, to please come forward.

“I would also like to make a direct plea to Cartel if you see this to please make contact with us and let us know where you are as we just want to ensure you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Cartel’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220108788.