Coastguard rescuers and search and rescue teams join hunt for missing veteran near St Austell

Crews have been working alongside police as concerns grow for Anthony Haley's safety

HM Coastguard search and rescuer looking out to sea during previous operation
Author: Emma HartPublished 27th Sep 2021
Last updated 27th Sep 2021

Coastguard and specialist search and rescue teams have joined the hunt for a man reported missing in the St Austell area five days ago.

Veteran Anthony Haley has not been seen since around 9.30am on Wednesday morning.

Devon and Cornwall Police issued an urgent appeal on Thursday, saying they were becoming increasingly concerned for his safety.

Since then, officers have been using drones and sniffer dogs to try to find the 42-year-old.

Over the weekend they were joined St Austell and Mevagissey Coastguard Rescue Teams and West and East Cornwall Search & Rescue Teams, whose crews scoured the coast path, river banks, ponds and steep woodland.

However as of Monday morning (27th September), Anthony Haley still had not been found.

He is described as being tall and stocky with facial hair and has tattoos on his arms and hands and anyone who sees him is being urged to call 999 straight away.

Posting on its Facebook page on Sunday (26th September), East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team said: "Over the weekend we've been continuing our efforts to locate the high risk missing person Anthony Haley.

"Throughout Saturday our volunteers have been improving the coverage of previously checked areas, and also extending the search area in to new ground.

"This has been alongside Devon & Cornwall Police who have been utilising drone teams, police dogs and the Force Support Group throughout the search.

"Our searching continues throughout Sunday in dense and steep woodland, and we've requested additional resources from West Cornwall Search & Rescue Team to help us cover as much ground as thoroughly as possible".

West Cornwall Search & Rescue Team posted: "We were contacted by Devon & Cornwall Police at 10.30am this morning (Sunday 26th September) to assist East Cornwall Search & Rescue Team with the search of a high risk missing person near St Austell.

"East Cornwall SRT have been searching for Anthony Haley since Wednesday this week. This has been alongside Devon & Cornwall Police who have been utilising drone teams, police dogs and the Force Support Group throughout the search.

"10 team members worked alongside our colleagues from East to cover dense and steep woodland, as well as fields and tracks. We were stood down at 8pm with Police investigations continuing".

Anyone who sees Anthony or anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 999, quoting log 622 22/9/21.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.