Police rule out fears of 'criminal activity' in search for vulnerable missing student

Russell Bohling, 18, who has a speech and language disorder, was last seen by his parents at 8am on Tuesday, March 2, when he left home in West Ella on the outskirts of Hull, for Bishop Burton College, near Beverley.

He never arrived and his green Renault Clio was found the following day in the car park of an RSPB bird sanctuary at Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington.

Mr Bohling's parents, Roger and Christine, believe he went there to meet someone and intended to return home, but may have fallen victim to "foul play".

Police are "increasingly concerned" for Mr Bohling's welfare but do not believe he has been harmed by someone else.

Pc Steve Norfolk, missing persons officer at Humberside Police, said: "We have got no reason to believe there is any third-party involvement. We are treating it simply as a missing person inquiry and there is nothing to suggest any sort of criminal activity has taken place."

He added: "We are increasingly concerned about his health and safety because of the location and the fact he didn't return home is completely out of character for him. There's no indication he was in trouble at all or had any problems, his behaviour has been normal."

Pc Norfolk said he was satisfied thorough searches had been made of the area around the site.

A big land and sea search took place last week after the discovery of the car, which displayed a parking ticket for March 2.

The search involved mounted police, underwater search units, the coastguard and a search and a helicopter.

Mr Bohling is about 5ft 8in, of medium build, has short, brown hair and was last seen wearing a black Ben Sherman jacket, blue jeans and black leather trainers.

Anyone with information can call 0845 6060 222.