New search launched for missing former Blackheath teacher (From Halesowen News)

New search launched for missing former Blackheath teacher

11:44am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Local

FRESH searches of countryside around the Herefordshire home of missing former Blackheath schoolteacher Alethea Taylor have been launched.

The 63-year-old, who taught at Blackheath Primary School for about 40 years, disappeared from her home in Orleton four weeks ago.

Extensive searches and other inquiries have drawn a blank and the senior police officer leading the investigation today confirmed officers were being sent out to look again.

West Mercia Police has taken advice from the National Policing Improvement Agency - a consultancy body - and more specialist tracking resources are being deployed.

Detective Inspector Dave williams said: "The searches will involve the use of air support and ground support teams with specialist search dogs and will focus on selected areas in the countryside around the village.

"Due to the passage of time we are now extremely concerned for the welfare of Mrs Taylor, as she has now been missing for over four weeks.”

She was last seen at about 8.30am on Thursday January 19 by her husband when he left their home for work.

There was no sign of her when he returned home at 4pm and more than 80 residents, West Mercia Police teams - including dog handlers - scoured the village and surrounding countryside in the days following her disappearance.

Members of the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) focused their efforts on streams and other water courses, while the Longtown Mountain Rescue team also brought their dogs to help with the search, but there was no trace of her, Anyone with information that could help find Mrs Taylor should call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101.