Search for missing Brighton 96 year old scaled down (From The Argus)

Search for missing Brighton 96 year old scaled down

5:23pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

One of the last sightings of Nellie Herriott

The search for missing pensioner Nellie Herriott has been scaled down seven weeks after she disappeared.

A major search for Nellie, 96, was launched after she was reported missing in April.

But after weeks of searches- including search teams with dogs scouring the outskirts of the city, repeated appeals for information of her whereabouts and posters being displayed on busses, police have taken the reluctant decision to downgrade their investigation.

However detectives on the hunt for Nellie vowed to keep trying to find her.

Detective Inspector Miles Ockwell, who led the investigation said: "The case will not be closed down completely - I will personally review it on a monthly basis for the first three months and then six monthly after that and any new lines of inquiry that come up in the meantime will be investigated "It is very sad that despite an intensive investigation combined with tremendous help and support from the public and media, Nellie is still missing. Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends who still do not know what has happened to her.”

During the search police investigating more than 70 reported sightings, used specialist search teams, and viewed many hours of CCTV, regularly checking local hospitals and ran a high profile social media campaign in a bid to locate her.

Nellie's niece, Lesley Hogg said: "I'd like to thank Sussex Police, social services and the public, especially in Brighton, for their amazing help and genuine participation in trying to find Nellie - which we have found very heart warming.

"It has all been very distressing, terrible and unfortunate. Nellie has always been an independent lady who loved her freedom. It is so sad that she has not been found."