Fears for suspected burglar missing in sewers

At about 11.30am yesterday police attended a commercial premises in Mabgate, in Leeds city centre, after an alarm went off.

When officers got there, two people were seen leaving via the roof and it is believed one entered the sewerage system through a nearby storm drain.

A search and rescue operation was immediately put into effect involving West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and specialist staff from Yorkshire Water.

A detailed systematic search of the sewerage system in that area and beyond was conducted but no-one has been found.

Officers are very concerned for the man’s welfare after consulting specialists about the dangerous conditions in the part of the sewer network that the man is known to have entered.

Supt Pat Twiggs, from City and Holbeck Division, said: “We can find no indication of that person having got out of the sewer safely and we are therefore very concerned for them due to the extremely hostile environment in the sewer.

“We are making wide-ranging enquiries to try to identify the individual involved but we would like to hear from anyone who has concerns that someone they know is missing and could be involved in this incident. We would also like to hear from anyone who has any information which could help us trace and locate anyone who may have been involved.

“I would like to reassure them that our primary focus is on ensuring the safety of those involved in this incident and the investigation into the burglary is completely secondary at this stage.

“I would hate to think that someone could be sitting on information which could help us to resolve this situation regardless of where they feel their loyalties lie.”

Anyone with any information should contact officers at Holbeck police station on 101 quoting log reference 630 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.