Police search open land for missing dementia sufferer (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Police search open land for missing Helmsley woman Barbara Colling

4:14pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Emily Flanagan, Reporter

POLICE searching for a missing woman today (Friday, February 1) searched open land near a popular tourist area, as the search entered its fifth day.

Barbara Colling was last seen walking along the A1257 near Abbotts Hag and Rievaulx at 9.30am on Monday, January 28. Since her disappearance police officers have been working with air support units, a specialist tracker dog, and search and rescue teams to try and find her.

Today (Friday, February 1), specially trained officers focussed their search on open land around Helmsley and out to the Cleveland Way and Newgate Bank.

Mrs Colling, 68, from Helmsley, suffers from dementia, but her daughter, Lizzy Firmin, said this may not be apparent to people who see her, as she may appear articulate and confident.

Barbara is 5ft 2in tall, with medium-length blonde hair. When she was last seen she wearing a navy blue jacket, blue trousers, a black woollen hat with ear flaps and was thought to be carrying a black rucksack.

Inspector Andy Everitt, of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Barbara has been missing for a few days now and the public can really help with the effort to find her by reporting sightings of anyone matching her description.

“I would also ask residents to check their sheds and other outbuildings in case Barbara has taken shelter somewhere.”

Inspector Everitt also urged people to look out for any discarded items of clothing and urged the public to particularly look out for Barbara at churches in the area.

He added: “We know that Barbara likes churches and likes to visit them, so I would ask people who either work in churches or are regular visitors to be especially vigilant at this time.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room.