Public appeal in hunt for O’Callaghan

Call for witnesses who saw estate car with taxi markings between Swindon and Savernake after woman disappeared Police searching for the missing woman Sian O’Callaghan are appealing for witnesses who saw a green estate car with taxi markings on the night she vanished or the day after. O’Callaghan disappeared after leaving a nightclub in Swindon in the early hours of Saturday and police have been combing the Savernake forest 12 miles away. Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, who is leading the inquiry, appealed for anyone who saw a green taxi estate car between Swindon and Savernake on the day the 22-year-old vanished, to come forward. “I am urgently appealing for any witness sightings of a green Toyota Avensis estate with taxi markings seen between 3-4am and 12-9pm on Saturday 19 March 2011 between Swindon and Savernake.” Hundreds of members of the public had been helping police search the forest but they were now being asked to stay away. Specialist dog teams were being called in to help with the search. Police have said they believe they are close to finding O’Callaghan, after narrowing down the search area. Fulcher said earlier: “We have made good progress in narrowing the search using a number of technologies and techniques and I believe we are getting very close to identifying Sian’s whereabouts. “While I still want anyone with information to contact police I am not asking for any more public assistance with searches at this time.” A police spokeswoman refused to expand on the statement and declined to say whether it meant police believed O’Callaghan – or her body – was in the forest. O’Callaghan’s family thanked the public for their help in the search for “our beautiful girl”. In a statement released by the police they said: “We have been so touched by the support shown by the community that we wanted to express our thanks. “The sheer numbers of people who have given up their time to help search for Sian and distribute appeal posters are overwhelming and we couldn’t ask for better support from the public, police and media.” A reward of £20,000 has been offered for information leading to her being found. The family said they were grateful for the reward and hoped it might help to encourage someone to come forward with information. “This is an extremely difficult time for us and we continue to hope and pray that our beautiful girl is found soon.” O’Callaghan, an office administrator, disappeared after leaving Suju nightclub at about 2.50am to walk the half mile to the flat she shared with her boyfriend, Kevin Reape. Analysis of her mobile phone records suggests that about 30 minutes after she left the club, her phone was somewhere in the 1,800-hectare (4,500-acre) Savernake forest, near Marlborough. Chief Superintendent Steve Hedley, area commander for Swindon, said further analysis of the records had produced several “hot spots” that specialist search teams were examining. “We have got a better idea of where we could be searching,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we are going to find anything specific but we have got more of an idea from the technology where to look first.” Another senior officer, Chief Inspector Bob Edge, urged clubbers and pubgoers in the area to take care. “Some people will be asking what else they can do and even wondering if it is safe to go out. “I want to emphasise that whilst there is no reason to believe there is any increased risk to anyone, it is always wise to take basic and well-known simple steps when we go out.” Colleagues of O’Callaghan at the industrial storage company Dexion told how she was in “good spirits” and “looking forward to the weekend” before she disappeared. Liz Watson, operations director, said staff felt helpless and missed her. “She is a well-liked and popular member of our team and has a friendly and cheerful nature, always smiling and happy. “Sian attended work on Friday as normal and she was in her usual good spirits and looking forward to the weekend. “We are all very worried about her at the moment and hope that further developments of her whereabouts will come to light soon. “Our staff are feeling very helpless at the moment and are keen to contribute in any way.” • Anyone who saw the green estate car or who has information is asked to contact police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where details can be left anonymously if preferred. Police Steven Morris guardian.co.uk

Posted by on March 24, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.