DETECTIVES are continuing to search for a man who has been missing more more than a week.

Drones, a helicopter and a specialist water-based search team have all been deployed to help find missing Wimborne man Neil Allen.

The 41-year-old was reported missing on Tuesday, February 13. He was last seen at the Spar shop in Gordon Road at around 8.50pm that day.

He then was seen in Leigh Road, near Brook Road, between 8.30pm and 10pm, with officers believing he may have headed towards Wimborne town centre.

However, he hasn't been seen since.

Neil is described as five feet 10 inches tall and with long brown hair and a full beard.

Chief inspector Dave Parr, of Dorset Police, said the force has now deployed "significant" resources in their efforts to find Neil.

He said: “We are continuing to do all we can to locate Neil and further enquiries have now revealed a slightly revised timeline of his last known movements.

“We now believe the sighting at Leigh Road at around 9.30pm to 10pm is the last confirmed sighting of Neil. It is believed from there he headed toward Wimborne town centre, but we have no further confirmed sightings.

“I would urge anyone who has seen a man matching the description given since the evening of Tuesday 13 February 2024, or anyone with information regarding Neil’s whereabouts, to please contact Dorset Police immediately.   

“Our search efforts remain ongoing and are based on the very latest intelligence and information that is available and utilising specialist assets. Extensive digital and telecommunications enquiries have been completed, but have not provided any information about Neil’s current whereabouts.

“We are deploying significant resources to support the search effort, which is covering several areas of Wimborne both on land and in the water. Specialist water-based teams are being supported by police drones and the NPAS helicopter, with officers also on foot carrying out searches, house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

Bournemouth Echo:

“I would again like to thank all the volunteers and members of the public who have assisted us so far.

“Furthermore, I am repeating my direct plea to Neil if you see this appeal to please get in touch with us or your family as we want to make sure you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Neil’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240023981.