Friends launch search for missing Cumbernauld woman

Friends of a woman missing from Cumbernauld are appealing for her to come home.

Karen Stevenson was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It's thought the 42 year-old made her way towards the town centre and was spotted on CCTV in a lift at a shopping centre near Tryst Road.

Police believe she then walked towards Muirfield Community Centre near Brown Road and Fleming Road and was there around 2.55am.

Karen is described as 5ft 1ins, of slim build, with long brown hair. She was wearing a purple parka-style jacket with a black fur-lined hood, a cream long sleeve t-shirt, black leggings and black ankle boots.

She also may be carrying a small pink handbag decorated with metal studs and with a chain strap.

Childhood friend Nicola Masterton told Clyde News: "I'm sure the police are doing everything that they can but we all wanted to as a community, as Karen's childhood friends, do what we can to get the story out there and get Karen home to her family, her children and her partner.

"Karen is just a lovely girl, she's quite shy and doesn't have social media and I know she would hate have her picture all over the place - this would be her worst nightmare. But if it gets her home safe then I would gladly have her shout and fall out with me, just to get her home safe.

"If Karen is listening then police call 101, contact the police. You maybe want some time to yourself and a bit of head space, I don't know, but if that is the case please just get in contact and let someone know you're okay.

"Likewise, if someone is with Karen and is helping Karen because she's not in a good place then please just call 101 just so her family know that she is safe."

Sergeant Greig McKail said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Karen’s welfare as this is completely out of character. If anyone has any information which may assist or has seen anyone matching her description, please call us.

“She was wearing a distinctive purple jacket with a black fur-trimmed hood so we are asking anyone who might have private CCTV or doorbell-footage showing where Karen went after she was in the Fleming Road area to get in touch.

“Likewise, anyone who was driving in the town centre and the areas where Karen has been seen and who might have dash-cam footage that could assist please let us know.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3369 of Saturday February 19.

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