Richard Morris: Police looking for missing Hampshire man scale back search operations after a month

Richard Morris went missing from Bentley, near Farnham, at around 10.30am on Wednesday 6 May after going out for a jog.

The 52-year-old was seen by a member of the public a short while later on Isington Road, Alton.

For the past four weeks specialist officers have searched over nine square kilometres of land in their efforts to find Richard.

Alice Holt Forest, including bodies of water within, and areas surrounding Alton and Binstead have been searched by officers, assisted by our colleagues from the British Transport Police and Hampshire Search and Rescue Service.

In addition, officers have viewed CCTV footage, conducted house to house enquiries and followed a number of lines of enquiry, many of which based on information received from the community.

Chief Inspector Alex Reading said: ‘It has now been 28 days since Richard went missing, and we continue to be very concerned for his welfare. I would however like to reassure the community that there is no evidence of foul play.

‘We have conducted an extensive search of local woodland, as well as 2km of the River Wey and a large section of railway.

‘I want to reassure you that although the search phase is being scaled back, our investigation into Richard’s disappearance is ongoing and any new lines of enquiry will be thoroughly investigated.

‘We would like to thank Hampshire Search and Rescue, and the volunteers from local force areas, for their tireless efforts during this time.

‘We also want to thank the community for their patience, for sharing our appeals, and providing us with good information to work from.

‘We are continuing to keep Richard’s family informed and they are being supported by specially trained officers.’

Richard was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeved top with a half zip, black running shorts and blue trainers.

Anyone with information should phone 101 quoting 44200160398.