Search is stepped up for missing Luke

HELICOPTERS are to scour open land between Ipswich and Hollesley as part of a police investigation to track down a missing teenager.

Luke Durbin went missing on May 11 after visiting Ipswich nightspot Zest with friends.

Police believe there has been a confirmed sighting of him leaving the Ipswich town area, in Old Foundry Road, at 3.40am the following morning.

But the 19-year-old never made it back to his Hollesley home and an investigation has since been launched to find him.

Anne-Marie Breach, a spokeswoman for Ipswich police, said: “The search started by contacting the 100 people logged in his mobile phone.

“A police helicopter was also sent out to search the River Gipping and sniffer dogs were also used but shortly after the sighting of him moving in the opposite direction we decided not to continue looking in that area.”

Over the next few days the helicopter will be sent out again, this time concentrating on open land between Ipswich and Woodbridge, especially Rushmere Heath.

Footage from CCTV cameras located on his route home will be checked.

Officers will follow up any reported sightings from media appeals and an anniversary check, held on Thursday night carried out alongside the nightclub a week after he went missing.

Flyers were also distributed around the area he lives.

Miss Breach added: “When Luke's disappearance went on for longer than two days police stepped up their investigation.

“The longer it goes without him making contact with either friends or family the more concerned we are getting.”

At the time of his disappearance Luke was wearing a black or grey long-sleeved collared shirt, blue jeans and brown suede shoes.

Do you know Luke? Do you think his disappearance is out of character? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk