A vulnerable missing person who travelled 220 miles to the North East has been found safe by eagle-eyed police officers. Searches were ongoing across the East Midlands on Monday for a man in his 30s who is believed to have left his Northampton home in a state of distress.
At about 1.20pm on Monday, officers from Northumbria Police were alerted to a vehicle of interest that was travelling towards South Shields and police suspected the missing man may have been inside.
READ MORE: Join ChronicleLive's Whatsapp community for breaking news and top stories
Motor Patrols and Operation Dragoon road safety officers were deployed to the area, and within 10 minutes, they had successfully stopped the car and spoken to the sole occupant.
He was confirmed to be the missing man, and officers supported by medical professionals were then able to make sure he was safe and that his family were informed.
Chief Inspector Ian Cutty, of Northumbria Police's Motor Patrols Department, said: “This was a fantastic piece of policing as officers moved quickly and decisively to track the vehicle and bring it to a safe stop.
"After receiving intelligence that the missing man may be driving that vehicle, it was absolutely imperative that we intercepted it in order to ensure he was safe and at no risk of coming to any kind of harm.
“Thankfully this was a positive outcome and I would like to thank all the officers who showed outstanding dedication, professionalism and empathy throughout.
“It is always difficult for families and friends when loved ones go missing, and as a force, we are prepared to use every tactic at our disposal in order to locate that person as quickly as possible and ensure they are OK.
“We wish the man and his family well and are pleased to have been able to support our policing colleagues elsewhere in the country in their search.”
READ NEXT:
