Richard Scatchard: Specialist teams deployed in West Somerset over his disappearance
Avon and Somerset Police say specialist teams will be working in West Somerset over the next few weeks, amid their investigation into the wanted sex offender's disappearance
Last updated 15th Jan 2024
Avon and Somerset Police will be deploying specialist search teams 'over the coming weeks' amid their investigation into the missing wanted sex offender - Richard Scatchard from Minehead.
The 70-year-old is wanted by police on recall to prison, with officers saying the need to talk to him in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers back in October.
Her body was found at his home in the Somerset town on October 15, 2022 - with Scatchard last seen the day after.
Kelly's death continues to be treated by officers as a murder inquiry.
Scatchard, who is originally from Scotland, has links to Cornwall and South Wales and is considered a danger to women.
He also has previous convictions for sexual offences in which he administered drugs to victims.
Police, who referred the case to the IOPC earlier this month, have revealed they have since made over 300 enquiries into his disappearance, but there have since been no confirmed sightings of him.
Superintendent Lisa Simpson said: “It has been three months since we last had a confirmed sighting of Richard Scatchard.
“Our priority remains to find Scatchard alive and arrest him and any public information to help us achieve that aim will be gladly received. We wish to question Scatchard about what happened to Kelly in the hours leading up to her death, information we desperately want to be able to give her family.
“We have spoken with both Kelly’s family and Scatchard’s and been honest with them that there have been three months without proof of him being alive and that is an extremely long time.
“While these searches are partly being carried out with that in mind, we remain open minded that Scatchard may well still be alive and do not give up hope someone can provide crucial information that leads to his arrest.”
The police's timeline of events
Scatchard and Kelly, who was critically ill, went out together on the evening of Saturday 14 October in Minehead - with the 70-year-old calling the ambulance service to his home address at about 4.15am on Sunday morning.
At the time, paramedics had pronounced she had died, with officers speaking with Scatchard that day.
The next day, returning to speak further with Scatchard, he had disappeared.
Kelly’s death
A post-mortem examination in October of Kelly's body proved inconclusive - in trying to establish her cause of death - however, further tests by the Major Crime Investigation team have led officers to treat her death as suspicious.
Supt Simpson said: “Family liaison officers continue to support Kelly’s family and provide them with key updates in relation to our investigation.
“They need to know what happened to Kelly and we are desperate to provide them with those answers as soon as we can.”
Search for Scatchard
Police know Scatchard travelled to Watchet after they spoke to him on October 15 - with the last confirmed sighting of him being on CCTV in the Swain Street area at about 9am on Monday 16 October.
A member of the public spotted him near his home address in Minehead approximately an hour later.
Police have since uncovered a short piece of CCTV footage which saw a man riding a bike in North Road in Minehead, and turning left onto The Avenue - at about 10.15am that Monday morning.
The identification of the cyclist hasn't been confirmed, however.
Supt Simpson said: “The clothing worn by the cyclist, especially the black trainers with a blue heel, bears a strong resemblance to what Scatchard was seen wearing on CCTV in the proceeding hours. We therefore believe there is a strong chance the man in the photo is Scatchard and shows a bike, with silver handlebars, that he may have used.
“We’d be particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen a similar bike to that pictured, or alternatively believes they are the cyclist shown so we can eliminate that potential evidence from our enquiries if not relevant.”
Police say they've received around 100 unconfirmed sightings of Scatchard since launching their investigation into his disappearance.
Further searches
With extra resources being pumped into the investigation, it's now been confirmed that specialist officers, including the rope access team and police dogs, are being deployed at locations across the Minehead and West Somerset area and we expect these latest enquiries to last a number of weeks.
Supt Simpson said: “Searches on land and from the air were conducted once we learned of Scatchard’s disappearance.
“These have been supplemented by a large number of enquiries – including reviewing CCTV, distributing wanted posters, media appeals and following up on potential sightings reported by the public. Sadly, these have failed to provide any certainty as to Scatchard’s whereabouts but we still want people to call us immediately should they see him.
“Therefore, we have worked with expert teams to plan a series of key searches over the coming weeks. These will be concentrating on a mix of previously covered areas, plus some more remote parts where access would be difficult or impossible without specialist training and equipment.
“We are conscious that after three months, no confirmed sightings or proof of life that crucial clues as to what has happened to Scatchard may be found in a more inaccessible location, especially if he has come to harm, which a member of the public or previous searches would not ordinarily come across.
“Ultimately, we hope to find Scatchard alive so we can question him, and continue to urge the public to contact us if they see him.”
Police complaint
A complaint about the police response was made by Kelly’s family on Wednesday 20 December - and the police then made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which you can find out more about here: Richard Scatchard: Avon and Somerset Police refer complaint to watchdog
Scatchard is white, about 5ft 11ins tall, of average build with short grey hair. He speaks with a Scottish accent and has previously claimed to be called Richard Dunlop.
If you see Scatchard, you are urged to call 999 immediately quoting reference number 5223259285 and do not approach him.
If you have information about where he may be or the bike pictured, please call 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via its website.