Police have launched an urgent hunt for a 49-year-old woman who vanished from a popular seaside town in Cornwall and is now classed as a “high-risk missing person”.
Claire Bennett was last heard from at around 1.30pm on Monday after disappearing from St Austell, with officers believing she may now be in the Truro area. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed searches are ongoing and have issued an urgent appeal for public assistance.
The missing woman’s daughter revealed that items believed to belong to Claire had been discovered at Victoria Gardens, a park near the viaduct in Truro city centre. The find has intensified concerns for Claire’s welfare, with police deploying specialist resources including dogs to the area.
High-Risk Classification
Claire’s daughter confirmed her mother had been classified as a “high-risk missing person”, a designation typically used by police when there are substantial grounds for believing the missing person is in danger due to their own vulnerability, may have been the victim of a crime, or is at risk of harm to themselves or others.
Speaking about the discovery of her mother’s belongings, Claire’s daughter said: “We found a bag we believe to be hers at the park by the viaduct in Truro. We were asked not to continue looking on foot for her due to the police dogs and scents etc.
The request to family members to halt their own searches indicates the seriousness with which Devon and Cornwall Police are treating the disappearance, with specialist search teams now leading the operation.
Description and Last Sighting
Police have released a detailed description of Claire to aid public identification. She is described as a white female, approximately 5ft 10ins tall and of slim build. Claire has blonde hair which she usually wears down.
She was last seen wearing a white top and blue shorts when she disappeared on Monday afternoon. The 49-year-old is known to be from St Austell, one of Cornwall’s largest towns located approximately 14 miles from Truro where the search is now concentrated.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing woman who may be in the Truro area.”
Search Focus on Truro
Following initial enquiries, officers believe Claire may have travelled to Truro, Cornwall’s only city and a major hub for the county. The discovery of what is believed to be her bag at Victoria Gardens has focused search efforts on the city centre area.
Victoria Gardens, where the bag was found, is a popular Victorian-era public park located near Truro’s historic viaduct. The gardens, which feature trees, shrubs, paths and flower beds typical of late 19th-century design, are situated beneath the railway viaduct that carries the main Paddington to Penzance line.
The original viaduct was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859 but was replaced with the current structure in 1904. The park is well-used by locals and visitors, hosting weekly band concerts during summer months and housing a café called Pollen in the Park.
Family’s Emotional Appeal
In an emotional message that appears to be directed at her missing mother, Claire’s daughter wrote: “We can get through this. I promise. I love you.”
The heartfelt plea underscores the family’s desperation to locate Claire and their hope that she will see their messages and make contact. The public nature of the appeal suggests family members are using all available channels to reach Claire or anyone who might have information about her whereabouts.
Police Resources Deployed
The high-risk classification has prompted Devon and Cornwall Police to deploy significant resources to the search operation. The use of police dogs indicates a ground-based search is underway, with handlers working to track any scent trails from locations where Claire may have been.
The request for family members to avoid the search area is standard procedure when police dogs are deployed, as additional foot traffic can contaminate scent trails and hamper the dogs’ ability to track effectively.
Public Appeal
Devon and Cornwall Police are urging anyone who has seen Claire or has information about her whereabouts to contact them immediately. The force has emphasised the urgency of the situation given Claire’s high-risk status.
Members of the public in both St Austell and Truro areas are being asked to remain vigilant and report any sightings. Given the distance between the two towns – approximately 14 miles via the A390 – police are also asking people along this route to be alert.
The search area includes Truro city centre, particularly around Victoria Gardens and the viaduct area where Claire’s belongings were discovered. Anyone frequenting these areas on Monday afternoon or since is asked to think back and contact police if they remember seeing anyone matching Claire’s description.
How to Help
Devon and Cornwall Police have stressed that anyone with information should contact them immediately on 999, quoting log 610 of 11 August. The use of the emergency number rather than the non-emergency 101 line reflects the serious nature of the case.
The force is particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have:
- Seen Claire in St Austell on Monday before 1.30pm
- Witnessed anyone matching her description travelling between St Austell and Truro
- Noticed anyone matching her description in Truro, particularly around Victoria Gardens
- Found any items that might belong to Claire
- Any dashcam or CCTV footage from the relevant areas
As the search continues, Claire’s family and Devon and Cornwall Police remain hopeful that public assistance will help locate her safely. The combination of police resources and public vigilance has proven effective in previous missing person cases across Cornwall.
Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is urged to contact police immediately on 999 quoting log 610 of 11 August.
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