Sponsored by
Missing girl: men hunted
DETECTIVES are searching for two men in connection with the disappearance of Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes.
Police believe the individuals may have information vital to their hunt for the 14-year-old from Buchanan Street.
And they are particularly keen to speak to a man known as Ronnie, who met Charlene on a regular basis and gave her cash.
Det Supt Paul Buschini, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We now have new information which suggests the two men we are looking for as part of our wider investigation may be able to help.
"We have pursued literally hundreds of lines of inquiry, but as yet, we have not got a concrete lead.
"We get possible sightings of Charlene on a regular basis and check each of these out. But she has not been confirmed as seen since November 1, the day she went missing."
Detectives revealed details of the men as new pictures of Charlene were released, which show her in the Carousel Bar on North Pier on October 31 – the evening before she disappeared.
The first man they want to speak to bought Charlene and a friend a vodka and coke on the evening she disappeared.
He was in the Carousel Bar and is described as being in his late 30s to early 40s, 5ft 4in tall and with short dark hair.
Police are urging the man to contact them so he can be eliminated from their inquiries.
The second man being sought by officers is known as Ronnie. He used to meet Charlene on a fairly regular basis, usually in the Talbot Road area of Blackpool near to the Mecca Bingo Club.
Ronnie is believed to have given cash to Charlene and met her at around 3pm in Talbot Road on the day she disappeared.
He may live in the Thornton area and has been described by several people as aged between 30 and 60, although police believe he falls in the older end of the age bracket.
He rides a white bike with racing-cycle handlebars and a white basket, or basket holder on the back.
He is between 5ft 2in and 5ft 5in tall, slim with grey hair and a grey moustache and beard. He has a 'messy' crewcut hairstyle and is said to be of scruffy appearance.
Det Supt Buschini said: "Anybody who knows this individual or his whereabouts should contact the police immediately as repeated appeals for him to come forward have not been acted upon."
Call Blackpool Police on (01253) 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: West
