South Wales Police have launched an urgent appeal to locate 22-year-old Sherine Dunn from Swansea, with officers expressing serious concerns for her welfare and urging anyone who spots her to immediately dial 999.
The missing woman, described as having distinctive neck tattoos, was reported missing from Swansea city centre, prompting a comprehensive search operation across multiple areas of the Welsh city. Police have released detailed descriptions and mobilised resources as part of their ongoing investigation.
Sherine Dunn, 22, from Swansea is missing and there is concern for her welfare,” South Wales Police confirmed in an official statement released to the public.
Physical Description and Known Connections
Officers have provided specific details to aid public identification of the missing woman. Sherine Dunn is described as 5ft 2 inches tall with a slim build and long hair. Most notably, she has tattoos on her neck, which police believe could help members of the public identify her.
The missing woman is primarily from Swansea city centre but maintains connections to several surrounding areas. Police have confirmed she has links to Townhill, St Thomas, and Bonymaen – all districts within the greater Swansea area.
She is described as 5ft 2 inches tall, slim, with long hair, and has tattoos on her neck,” the police statement detailed, emphasising the distinguishing features that could assist in her identification.
Police Response and Search Operations
The case has triggered South Wales Police’s established missing persons protocols, with the force treating the disappearance as a welfare concern requiring immediate public assistance. The urgency of the appeal reflects the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the investigation.
South Wales Police operate one of the most comprehensive missing persons operations in Wales, handling more than 8,000 missing person reports annually. The force has dedicated Missing Persons Teams specialising in cases involving adults at risk and mental health concerns.
Detective Sergeant Leanne Heaven, who works with the force’s missing persons unit, has previously explained the complexity of such investigations. The priority in these cases is always ensuring the safe return of the missing individual,” she stated in previous police communications.
Public Appeal and Emergency Contact
Police have issued an urgent request for public assistance, specifically asking anyone who may have seen Sherine Dunn or knows of her whereabouts to come forward immediately. The emphasis on calling 999 rather than the non-emergency 101 number indicates the elevated level of concern surrounding her disappearance.
Anyone who knows of her whereabouts, or has any information to share which may be helpful” has been urged to contact authorities without delay, according to the official police statement.
The force has stressed that even seemingly minor information could prove crucial in locating the missing woman and ensuring her safety.
Missing Persons Context in South Wales
Sherine Dunn’s disappearance comes against the backdrop of significant missing persons activity across South Wales. Recent statistics reveal that someone is reported missing every 90 seconds across the UK, with South Wales Police receiving approximately 8,000 missing person reports each year.
The force’s approach to missing persons has undergone recent scrutiny, with a 2023-2025 inspection finding that whilst call handlers and specialist missing persons teams often correctly assess risk levels, there can be delays in supervisor reviews and task allocation.
Rob Lowe, a senior social worker with Swansea Council who works closely with police on missing persons cases, has emphasised the time-sensitive nature of such investigations. Time is of the essence when vulnerable individuals go missing,” he noted in recent police communications.
Community Areas and Local Connections
The areas mentioned in connection with Sherine Dunn represent diverse communities within the Swansea metropolitan area. Townhill, one of the locations where she has connections, is a busy residential area that has been the focus of various community development projects and police operations in recent years.
St Thomas and Bonymaen similarly represent established communities within Swansea’s urban landscape, each with their own local networks and facilities that could potentially provide leads in the search operation.
Local community groups and social media networks in these areas have historically played important roles in assisting police with missing persons appeals, sharing information and maintaining vigilance for vulnerable individuals.
Investigation Protocols and Next Steps
South Wales Police follows established protocols for missing persons investigations, with risk assessments determining the level of resources allocated to each case. The public nature of this appeal and the emphasis on immediate 999 contact suggests authorities have classified this as a case requiring urgent attention.
Missing persons investigations typically involve multiple specialist resources, including the Public Service Centre, specialist search teams, and partnerships with local authorities and community organisations.
The force has indicated that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with officers continuing to pursue all available leads whilst relying heavily on public assistance for potential sightings or information.
Until Sherine Dunn is located and confirmed safe by police officers, she will remain classified as a missing person, with the investigation continuing to receive appropriate priority and resources.
Anyone with information about Sherine Dunn’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Wales Police immediately on 999, quoting the relevant reference number provided by the force.
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