Elite police unit takes on hunt for father, 30

The unit, headed by Det Supt Dena Fleming, will bring fresh impetus and expertise to the investigation into the disappearance of Alexander Spence, 30, after a night out with friends on Saturday, April 10.

Mr Spence, who had been celebrating a relative's birthday in Princes Avenue, was last seen at 10.30pm when he left a bar to walk to his home in Strathmore Avenue. He was seen on closed circuit TV in Beverley Road near the junction with Cottingham Road and Clough Road but failed to return home.

Det Supt Fleming said: "It is now 11 days since Alexander Spence was last seen and in that time a large amount of work has been undertaken by the police.

"However, because of volume of information and outstanding lines of inquiry that need to be carried out to identify the whereabouts of Alexander as quickly as possible, the decision has been taken to hand over the investigation to the Major Incident Team based at Tower Grange Police Station."

Officers are continuing to conduct detailed searches along the banks of the River Hull and other watercourses in an effort to find him.

Tens of thousands of people have signed up to an online appeal for information about Mr Spence's disappearance on the social networking website Facebook. He is white, 5ft 7in tall, of slim build and has short, fair hair.

Anyone with information can call the incident room on 01482 796271.