Police visit 'every single hotel' in Colchester in search for missing couple and baby
Mark Gordon, Constance Marten and their new-born first went missing last Thursday
Last updated 10th Jan 2023
Essex Police say they've visited "every single hotel and bed and breakfast" in Colchester as part of a search for a missing couple and baby.
Mark Gordon, Constance Marten and their new-born first disappeared when their car broke down on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
The mission to find the trio has continued throughout the night, with officers reviewing hours of CCTV.
Their focus is currently on Colchester because of a number of confirmed sightings in the city, with the force saying it's "following several strong lines of enquiry".
"We continue to liaise with transport companies in order to identify whether there has been any onward travel from Colchester", Essex Police added.
Officers "worked through the night" to visit every single hotel and bed and breakfast in Colchester to try to work out whether the couple and their baby have recently stayed at any of them.
The force also said it is handing out leaflets across the city.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston said: “As we have said previously, from our perspective this search is about the young child’s welfare.
“We know some elements of the public may see police involvement as unwelcome and I would seek to assure you that we do not wish to impose ourselves for any reason other than to make sure the new-born baby is alive and well.
“I am a parent myself and I know the bond a mother and father have with their child, but I would appeal directly to Mark and Constance to put the welfare of their child first.
“To you, Constance, medical professionals still need to assess your baby to make sure he or she is medically well and there no underlying issues for which he or she may need help for. Indeed, medical professionals would like to examine you for the same reasons.
“Please, get in contact any way you would like to. We are here and ready to help you.”.