Latest news with #Longcroft
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Hunt for missing 19-year-old who vanished following house party more than three weeks ago - after asking a schoolfriend for a lift
The hunt for a teenager who went missing after a house party three weeks ago has begun. Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen at about 8.45pm on May 7, having requested a lift from a schoolfriend in the Longcroft area of Falkirk, Scotland, and was reported missing by his family two days later. The friend said there were no concerns about Mr Cooper's welfare on May 7 and that he was not given a lift, police said. He had last been seen by his family on May 2 or 3 and was captured on CCTV at about 6am on May 4 in the village, when he tried to access his father's house unsuccessfully. The missing man is described as about 5ft 10ins, of medium build with brown short hair, and was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms. Detectives said the investigation was being treated as a missing person's inquiry rather than a criminal probe. A major search has involved helicopters, divers, digital and financial investigators, as well as examination of 1,000 hours of CCTV and door-to-door inquiries at more than 220 homes. Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick, local area commander, said: 'Cole was reported missing on May 9 and was last seen by his family on May 2 or 3. CCTV footage of Cole, who was last seen at around 5.50am on May 4 'There was a further sighting on CCTV on May 4, of Cole, around 6am. Since that CCTV, a witness has come forward reporting speaking to Cole about 8.45pm on May 7. He didn't get a lift.' Mr Hatrick said that the inquiry was probing digital media but was primarily focused on the last sightings. He added: 'At that time, the friend didn't have any concerns for Cole's wellbeing. He just said he was looking to go to his local area. 'From the witness account, he didn't have any concerns at that time. The witness said that Cole asked for a lift and went on his way. 'Concerns are growing for Cole's welfare, this is completely out of character. There's nothing to suggest he has come to harm. It very much remains a missing persons investigation. 'His family are deeply devastated, they want answers relating to what has happened to Cole. There's no evidence of any criminality at this stage.' He urged Mr Cooper to get in touch with police and said he had 'nothing to fear'. Mr Hatrick added: 'There's no indication that Cole was a risk to himself or likely to come to harm.' The search is primarily focused on Falkirk, but Mr Cooper also has links to Paisley, Denny and Cumbernauld. A major incident portal has been set up for the public to share footage with investigating officers. In a message to the missing man, Mr Hatrick said: 'Cole, I would very much encourage you to get in touch with your family. 'You have got nothing to fear about getting in touch. We just want to find you safe and well.' Anyone who has any information can contact officers on either 101 quoting incident number 828 of Friday May 9. It comes after it was revealed that drones are being drafted in to help with the search of the missing teenager. In a heartfelt plea last week, his mother Wendy Stewart begged her son to 'come home' as drone operators were urged to apply for permission to fly in Cumbernauld Airport's flight restriction zone so they can widen the search. A social media page set up by the family to provide updates about the hunt for the 19-year-old asks for drone owners to get in touch with the airport so they could search between Longcroft and Banknock. Ms Stewart, meanwhile, begged her son to 'please come home'. She said: 'I love and miss you so so so much. Where are you son? My heart is breaking I just want a big cuddle from you son.' The worried mother also posted a touching video of Mr Cooper singing into a microphone and dancing with her, with the caption 'Please help get my gorgeous, kind loving boy back to me'.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cole Cooper: Police 'increasingly concerned' for missing teenager
Police are becoming "increasingly concerned" for a teenager who has been missing for three Cooper, 19, was last seen at about 20:45 on 7 May in Longcroft, Falkirk, near home village of Insp Alex Hatrick told BBC Scotland News Cole's disappearance was being treated as a missing persons case and there was no evidence to suggest he had come to the final sighting officers have conducted door-to-door inquiries at more than 200 homes and obtained over 1,000 hours of CCTV. Ch Insp Hatrick, local area commander, told BBC Scotland News: "Just like Cole's family we are increasingly concerned for Cole's whereabouts. "The family are obviously deeply devastated, they are looking for answers as to what has happened to Cole, as are the police."At this time this is very much a missing persons inquiry."There is no evidence to suggest Cole has come to harm but we will explore all avenues, all lines of inquiry. Our focus is very much on tracing Cole." Timeline: Where was Cole Cooper last seen? 3 May: Cole was on a night out with friends. 4 May: He was captured on CCTV multiple times around Nisbet Drive, Longcroft Road and Hogan Path in the early hours of Sunday was seen approaching the door of his Dad's house at 05:49 before leaving four minutes last CCTV footage of Cole was at 06:00 on Cumbernauld Road.7 May: A witness said they saw Cole at around 20:45 on the A803 at the Intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft.9 May: Cole is reported missing. Ch Insp Hatrick confirmed that the last sighting of Cole was reported by a witness who knew the time of the sighting, on 7 May, he told officers that he didn't have any concerns for added he asked for a lift and "then Cole went on his way".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 Cole's family are treating the CCTV footage - captured on 4 May - as the last confirmed sighting of the missing Connor told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme they were hoping "no news is good news" but were becoming increasingly said: "We are coming up to a month now which does make me think, has he come to some sort of harm?"I don't know what type of harm but I do think that something must have happened and somebody knows something."We are mentally preparing for the worst but we are also hoping and praying for the best outcome which is him coming home safely." The family organised a community-led search for the teenager on Saturday and Sunday, with around 200 people helping looking for Cole."We don't want to sit back and do nothing. Even if we need to search the same area a hundred more times, we will," Connor had been living in Falkirk and is known to have links to the Denny, Cumbernauld and Paisley areas.A major search involving helicopters and drones was launched last week scouring Banknock, also in Falkirk, and the dive and marine unit have been are asking for anyone who was in the Glasgow Road area around the time Cole was last seen to contact them via an online are also urging locals to to check their outbuildings and sheds.
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Cole Cooper: Search for teenager missing for three weeks - as mum says 'I just want answers'
The heartbroken mother of a Scottish teenager who vanished three weeks ago has told Sky News she fears he could have been "picked up in a car". Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen by an old school friend on Wednesday 7 May in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk. Prior to that, he was captured on CCTV a few days earlier after leaving a house party in the area. His mum, Wendy Stewart, 42, allowed Sky News into her home as she revealed the pain her family is enduring. Wiping away tears, Ms Stewart said: "I don't know what's happened. He has not been seen. Is it a possibility he has been picked up by a car? "I don't want to start speculating but I just want answers. Somebody please come and tell us." She added: "It's total heartache. It's just so surreal. Is this actually happening? I have been wanting to wake up and it's just been a big nightmare." Cole's family say the joinery apprentice recently started up his own fencing and decking business, which was thriving. His aunt Aimee Tennie who has arranged community searches and erected missing posters, has said he is a popular young man who enjoys karaoke. The 32-year-old told Sky News: "He is well liked. He is well respected. He is a lovely boy. If he is out there, we want you to come home. "We want answers. We miss you. We love you." Police Scotland said more than 220 properties have been visited and more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage collected as part of the force's efforts to find the teenager. Specialist resources from across the country have been mobilised to help, including the police helicopter and drones from the air support unit, as well as officers from the dive and marine unit. Ms Stewart said she would not lose hope of finding her son. She said: "I am still praying that we get the outcome that we want which is Cole to come back home with us and to make more happy memories." Cole was reported missing on Friday 9 May. Police said he was earlier captured on CCTV in the Longcroft area at about 6am on Sunday 4 May. The last confirmed sighting was at 8.45pm on the A803 at its intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, on Wednesday 7 May. Police Scotland said an incident and welfare support unit will remain in the area while extensive searches and door-to-door enquiries continue. An online portal has also been set up to allow members of the public to submit information directly to the investigating officers. Cole - who has links to the Denny, Cumbernauld and Paisley areas - has been described as around 5ft 10in, of medium build, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms. Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick said there was "a lot of work going on behind the scenes" to find the teenager. He added: "While this may not be as visible, please be assured we are working tirelessly to find Cole." Speaking to Sky News, the police chief said there had been no evidence of criminality. "This is very much a missing person enquiry," he added.
