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Police search River Thames near Dartford in bid to find Sarah Wellgreen

Police have been scouring the banks of the River Thames this morning as they continue their search for missing mum of five Sarah Wellgreen.

Officers been searching the river by North Star Boulevard off Station Road, Dartford, and have erected a blue tent on the pavement and have parked several police vehicles nearby.

One woman who saw them arrive was Dionne Gearing, who managed to take this photo.

Police are searching the banks of the River Thames at North Star Boulevard in Dartford. Picture: Dionne Gearing
Police are searching the banks of the River Thames at North Star Boulevard in Dartford. Picture: Dionne Gearing

She said: "I haven’t seen many police, can’t really see much, but they have taped it all off.

"There are roughly about six divers, and have been searching for the last two hours."

The search of the new location comes after officers searched of woodland near Bluewater in Greenhithe on Tuesday.

Officer were searching woodland near the shopping centre for a couple of days.

Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen

Miss Wellgreen, 46, was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green, more than three weeks ago and police have searched many areas of woodland and countryside since she was last seen.

Dozens of officers searched an area near the shopping centre in Greenhithe and searched a woods in Mount Road, as part of their ongoing investigations.

Clothing and daggers found earlier this week during searches have not been linked to her police say.

Searches have been carried out in several areas of woodland and officers have combed other villages including Scratchers Lane, in Fawkham, areas of Hartley, Longfield, Dartford town centre and parts of the River Darent in a bid to find clues to her whereabouts.

Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen
Police marine teams are searching the banks of the River Thames in a bid to find Sarah Wellgreen

Miss Wellgreen was last seen on Tuesday, October 9 and her disappearance is being treated as a potential murder investigation.

On Monday some items, including ladies clothing and two dagger-style knives were handed in by volunteers as they continued to help officers comb the countryside.

However, police say as yet no items have any link to Miss Wellgreen and their searches will continue.

Police are still appealing for any CCTV which could help with the investigation and yesterday, officers will be returning to New Ash Green as part of their ongoing searches.

DI Chris Greenstreet of the major crime unit said: "We have had a really positive response from members of the public to our appeal for information and I would like to thank all those who have been in touch and to volunteers who have assisted with searches.

"It is still really important we speak to anyone, yet to come forward, who may have fixed CCTV or dash cam footage within a five mile radius of New Ash Green.

Sarah Wellgreen has not been seen for more than three weeks
Sarah Wellgreen has not been seen for more than three weeks

"Your cameras may contain images or footage with crucial information.

"I’d also like to remind residents, businesses and landowners in and around New Ash Green to check their gardens, outhouses, and any other areas surrounding their properties.

"If you think you may have seen Sarah or anything which may have appeared suspicious, please do not hesitate to call us."

If you have any footage you can download it here.

A man in his 30s was arrested on Tuesday, October 16 in connection with Sarah's disappearance, he was questioned for three days after detectives applied for extensions to his custody.

He has been bailed until Friday, November 16.

If anyone has any information they should call Kent Police on 0207158 0011, freephone 0800 0560154, quoting 11-0423, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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