Volunteers from as far off as Dorset scoured the fields around Hitchin over the weekend during the search for Gosmore farmer William Taylor, who has now been missing for five weeks.
William, known as Bill to his family and friends, was last seen at home at about 9pm on Sunday, June 3. His 70th birthday was on June 11.
Police began searching a 1.7km radius of his home at Harkness Hall on Thursday morning, and over the weekend were joined by more than 100 specialist volunteers – who had come from as far away as Dorset.
They helped search through the oat crops, which are currently at waist height, without success.
North Herts Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley again appealed to the public at William’s home in Gosmore on Friday.
She said: “If you’ve seen Bill, if you’ve got any information regarding Bill, please contact 101 and report it to us. William’s family is very concerned, we’re concerned.
“It’s been over four weeks now, so any information – no matter how small or insignificant you think it is – please report it.”
William is described as a white man, about 5ft 11in tall. He is of medium build, with short grey hair.
He was last seen wearing a baby-blue shirt, jeans and black wellington boots. Police think he may be wearing a navy-blue boiler suit, which Ch Insp Wheatley said was his regular farming attire.
William had reported the arson of his Land Rover a week before he went missing, but police have been unable to say whether this is connected. It did not appear to officers that anything was missing from the house.
Ch Insp Wheatley told the Comet on June 25 that the search had already taken officers as far away as Lilley, between Hitchin and Luton.
She also said at that time that police had looked at William’s mobile phone records and bank accounts as part of their investigation, but could not yet give further details.
Anyone with information that could help the police should call them on 101. If you see him, call 999 immediately.
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