Police fear missing boy may be lying injured out of view

Police looking for a 17-year-old boy who disappeared on a night out fear he may be lying injured in an alleyway or side street.

Businesses have been asked to search bin yards for Benjamin Manning, who was reported missing on Saturday after failing to return home from Wakefield city centre.

Benjamin, from Swillington, had been dropped off by his mother on Friday night and had been to watch his friend's band play at the Black Flag music venue on Smyth Street.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was seen outside the Havana bar, off Westgate, and was last spotted at about 1am nearby, sitting in a bus shelter outside the Reflex bar.

His last contact with friends or family was at about 1.30am, when he sent a text message to his mother. Police said his disappearance was "totally out of character" and used a helicopter and search dogs to look for him.

Inspector Martin Moizer, of West Yorkshire Police's Wakefield division, said: "It is quite possible that Benjamin may have got lost while looking for a taxi rank and may be lying injured in an alleyway or a side street, so I would urge business owners to check their bin yards and areas behind their premises.

"I would also encourage anyone who saw Benjamin in or around the city centre, particularly taxi drivers or employees working in licensed premises, to contact us immediately."

Benjamin is white, slim, about 5ft 4in, with mousey blond shoulder-length hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt, grey jeans and a grey fleece jacket.