Coronavirus: Missing Sussex teenager ‘on 280-mile walk to see girlfriend’ during lockdown

Searches underway in Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs area to locate 16-year-old Owen Harding

A 16-year-old boy who has not been seen for a week may have embarked on a 280-mile trek to be with his girlfriend, according to his mother.

Police have launched a search to find Owen Harding after he left his home in Saltdean, East Sussex last Thursday between 6pm and 7pm.

His mother, Stella Harding, has raised fears that he is attempting to walk the 280 miles to be with his girlfriend in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, after the country was placed into lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.

“We’re all desperately worried about him and the situation is an emergency as it is now six days since he went missing,” she said.

“When Owen left, he was upset that he wasn’t going to be able to get a train to visit his girlfriend, Meg, in East Yorkshire due to the lockdown.”

Searches have been taking place in the Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs area, and there have been extensive inquiries in the area, said police, with concern growing for the youngster’s safety and wellbeing.

Ms Harding added: “While it is extremely out of character for Owen to leave and not be in contact, Covid-19 has put everyone under lots of strain and we don’t want to rule anything out. Some of his friends believe that he may have attempted to walk from Saltdean to the North.

“Because search activity and resources are limited right now, I’m begging the UK public to look out for him whilst out on their daily walks.

“But please make sure that, in doing so, you adhere to social distancing and government guidance and do not put yourself or anyone else at risk.”

Residents in the local area have been urged to check sheds and outbuildings but friends fear he may have started to walk along roads or fields leading out of Brighton to London before attempting to head north.

Investigating officer detective chief inspector Alasdair Henry said: “Along with Owen’s family and friends, we are very keen to hear from anyone who can help us in our search for him.

“Were you driving in the Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs area the evening of his disappearance and might you have captured dash-cam footage of him? Did you see Owen in the Saltdean area after 6pm on Thursday?

“We would like to thank the public for their support in our investigation and, while we appreciate people would like to help with our searches, we are urging everyone to abide by government guidance at all times.

“We are utilising all our available resources to search locally and will, of course, link up with colleagues across the country if there is anything to suggest that he has travelled out of Sussex.”

Anyone who sees Mr Harding should call 999 immediately. Those who have seen him or know of his whereabouts should call 101 or report it online, quoting Operation Chartwell.

He is thought to have been wearing dark joggers on the evening he left his home, police said.

Additional reporting by PA