An image taken from a police helicopter as part of the search for missing Gosmore farmer William Taylor has today been released, as officers look into his “lifestyle”.
The photo – taken on Friday, June 8, five days after William was last seen at his home south of Hitchin around 9pm on June 3 – shows the massive scale of the farmland around his house, Harkness Hall.
William’s 70th birthday was on June 11. Officers have been searching the farmland around Hitchin since Thursday, July 5, with more than 100 specialist volunteers coming from as far off as Dorset to help.
North Herts Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley said today: “We are nearing the two-month anniversary of William going missing, and extensive enquiries are being carried out to try and trace missing William.
“In addition to the searches, we are conducting enquiries into William’s lifestyle, as well speaking to friends and family. We have also been conducting enquiries following a number of reported sightings which have unfortunately proved negative.
“I would like to continue to urge the public to contact us if you think you have seen William or have information on where he might be. This is an incredibly worrying time for his family, and we are growing more concerned for William’s welfare by the day.”
William, known to friends and family as Bill, 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.
You can also report information, including sightings, on the public portal at mipp.police.uk/operation/824.
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