Missing pensioner - police "increasingly concerned"

POLICE say today that they are becoming "increasingly concerned" for the welfare of missing pensioner Joyce Wells.

The Sussex Police helicopter was brought in on Sunday as fear grew for the safety of the 74 year-old who was last seen at her Pebsham home last Wednesday when her daughter visited her.

The pensioner was due to see her daughter again on Friday evening but was not at home when she arrived.

Mrs Wells is white and 5ft 2in with short, wavy grey hair.

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Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 6070999.

Joyce is said to be fit and active for her years.

Following searches over the weekend, today Neighbourhood Watch search teams from East and West Sussex, SuSSAR and a Lowland search dog are conducting an extensive search of farmland near her home.

Joyce Wells was last seen on Friday night by a neighbour, and it was her daughter who reported her missing on Saturday evening.

Mrs Wells would have been expecting to see her daughter, but when her daughter arrived she was not there, yet her personal belongings, including her handbag, were.

She says that her disappearance is out of character.

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Police immediately made local searches and have extended these to include neighbouring gardens, outbuildings and woodland.

Neighbours have been alerted and concern is growing because of the cold, wintery weather conditions.

Mrs Wells is described as white, 5ft 2ins, with short, wavy grey hair.

Inspecotor James Scott said: "We have a number of volunteers helping us search for Mrs Wells and this search has been extended to farmland near her home.

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"Her disappearance is a mystery and we are becoming increasingly concerned.

"We would appeal to anyone who knows her or thinks they may have seen her to contact us.

"Also I would urge local people to search their property as we are concerned she is outside in this terribly cold weather.

"Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 60 70 999."