'All I want is the safe return of my gorgeous, fun-loving boy'
A mother has appealed for her "gorgeous, fun-loving" son to return home safely, more than two weeks after he went missing near Falkirk.Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen at about 19:30 on Wednesday 7 May on the A803 Glasgow/Kilsyth Road in his home village of Banknock.He had previously been captured on CCTV at about 06:00 on Sunday 4 May in the Longcroft area having been on a night out at the pub with friends.Members of the local community have been taking part in searches of the surrounding area and police have used a helicopter and drones in a bid to spot him.
Cole's mother Wendy said it was completely out of character for him to go missing and not contact friends or family.She said: "My heart is totally broken, all I want is the safe return of my gorgeous, fun -loving boy. I feel so numb not knowing where he is."I'd like to thank the local community and everyone who has helped in searching for Cole so far. Please, if you have any information that can help, report this to police."Cole, if you see this message, please get in contact as we just want to know you are safe."All I want is my son home. We all love and miss him so much."
Cole's family have joined local search parties in the weeks since he went missing and will take part in another search on Saturday.Wendy told BBC Scotland's Drivetime programme: "My gut tells me someone out there knows something and I'm just begging for them to come forward with anything to find my boy."His aunt Amy has also been giving regular updates and appeals for information on social media.She told Drivetime that her nephew's disappearance had "turned everyone's life upside down".She said: "It's been horrific - the emotions that we've been going through, the night terrors that I know a lot of us have been having."The frantic feeling that you might see something when you are out on the searches causes so much anxiety."Watching his mum and the pain that she is in is just heartbreaking."
Report any sightings
Insp Neil Wotherspoon said police officers were continuing to review CCTV footage, as well as conducting door-to-door inquiries and speaking to witnesses in efforts to trace Cole.He urged anyone with information to contact Police Scotland.Insp Wotherspoon said: "Cole has now been missing for a significant amount of time and is it out of character for him not to be in contact with family or friends."I'd urge anyone who may have seen Cole, or a man matching his description, to report any sightings to us. Equally, anyone who has any information that can help us trace him should contact police immediately."Cole is described as about 5ft 10in, of medium build with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms.He has links to the the Denny, Cumbernauld and Paisley areas.
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