Golf course searched for missing man, 49

The 49-year-old was last seen at his home in Brantingham Walk on Wednesday, April 24, and although he has briefly gone missing before, police say they are now “extremely worried” because he is known to be depressed.

About 30 officers took part in the search of the golf course, backed up by two colleagues from the soon-to-be-axed mounted section, and further searches of open land in the area are planned.

Mr Sykes’s father Leslie made an emotional appeal for help and also asked his son to get in touch during a press conference on Tuesday.

He said: “This is totally out of character for Stephen to be away for this length of time without contact with his family.

“We are worried about Stephen’s state of mind; he has been very depressed recently.

“The police have told us about various sightings of Stephen in the Hull area on Thursday April 25, the day after we last saw him.

“I know the police are still working on this information, however, there has been no sightings of Stephen since this date.

“Please, I urge you to contact the police if you think you have seen Stephen or anyone fitting his description, however trivial you feel the information may be, it could be the lead required in finding him.”

He added: “Stephen, if you see this, please let us know you are safe and well. If you are not ready to come home, I understand; but please contact the police, another family member, anyone who can let us know you are safe.”

Mr Sykes, who is 6ft 2ins tall, is thought to be wearing a distinctive black fleece top with a large skull on the front.