Mountain rescue team help search for missing Orleton woman
A search for a woman missing from the village of Orleton has continued today.
Mrs Alethea Taylor was last seen at around 8.30am on Thursday when her husband left home for work.
West Mercia Police teams, including dog handlers, have been scouring the village and surrounding countryside and the force helicopter has been involved as has the Severn Area Rescue Association whose members have been focusing on streams and other water courses.
Today the Longtown Mountain Rescue team have brought their dogs to help with the search.
In addition, hundreds of villagers, co-ordinated from the village hall, have also been out searching for Mrs Taylor since Friday, with other local people providing hot drinks and refreshments for the volunteers.
Chief Inspector Adam Thomas, from the West Mercia Police Command Team in Hereford, said:
"Work is continuing this morning to find Alethea and once again we will be working with local people to co-ordinate the search.
"We have all been very impressed with the organisation and dedication of local people and it is clear Orleton is a tightly knit community and that many of those helping are friends or acquaintances of Mrs Taylor.
"We are most grateful for the assistance we are receiving and it really is helping us to cover more ground than we would using just our own resources.
"While our specialist search teams have focused on the countryside around the village it is a vast rural area and we would once again appeal to farmers and other landowners both in the immediate area and further afield to check outbuildings in case Alethea has taken shelter in one of them.
"Naturally the concern for her wellbeing is growing as each day passes and last night was the fourth consecutive night she has been missing.
"We believe she is vulnerable and there are concerns about her mental state.
"I'd like to reassure local people that no effort is being spared in the search for Alethea and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they have seen her since last Thursday, or who may have any idea why she has gone missing, to get in touch with us immediately.
"Alethea is described as being white, about 5ft 7inches tall, and as having short dark but slightly greying hair. When last seen she was wearing her night clothes but we still do not know what she was wearing when she left home."
"Anyone who believes they may have information that could help find Alethea is asked to call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101."
