Police have launched an urgent appeal to trace a missing 35-year-old woman who vanished from Ilkeston town centre in the early hours of Wednesday morning and is believed to have travelled to a popular local nature reserve.
Sheila left a property in the busy Derbyshire town between 6am and 7.30am on 15 October and has not been seen since, sparking growing concerns amongst officers for her welfare. Derbyshire Police believe she may have headed to Manor Floods nature reserve, a well-known walking spot on the Ilkeston and West Hallam border.
The missing woman is described as approximately 5ft 3ins tall with shoulder-length dark brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen, she was wearing black trainers, a longish black coat and carrying a black rucksack, according to police.
Police Appeal for Public Assistance
Derbyshire Constabulary issued an urgent statement calling for anyone who may have seen Sheila or has information about her whereabouts to come forward immediately. We are growing concerned for the welfare of a woman missing from Ilkeston,” the force stated.
Officers confirmed Sheila left the town centre property between 6am and 7.30am on Wednesday morning but provided no further details about the circumstances of her disappearance. The early morning timeframe has prompted particular concern given the limited daylight hours at this time of year.
Police have specifically highlighted Manor Floods nature reserve as a location of interest, suggesting Sheila may have travelled to the popular recreational area shortly after leaving the Ilkeston property.
Manor Floods Search Focus
Manor Floods Local Nature Reserve, situated along the Nutbrook Trail, is one of three nature reserves straddling the Ilkeston and West Hallam border. The area is popular with walkers, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts, featuring lakes and woodland paths that attract visitors throughout the year.
The nature reserve can be accessed from multiple points, including from the nearby Manners Industrial Estate and via Straw’s Bridge. The floods area forms part of a 2.6-kilometre circular trail that meanders along the Nutbrook Canal and through scenic countryside.
Local walkers describe Manor Floods as a peaceful spot popular for fishing and birdwatching, though paths can become muddy during autumn weather. The reserve features several lakes and is known for its diverse wildlife, making it a frequent destination for nature lovers and those seeking quiet reflection.
Description and Last Sighting Details
Police have provided detailed information about Sheila’s appearance to assist the public in identifying her. Standing at approximately 5ft 3ins tall, she has distinctive blue eyes and shoulder-length dark brown hair that may help witnesses recall any potential sightings.
Her clothing at the time of disappearance consisted entirely of black items – trainers, a longer-style black coat, and a black rucksack she was carrying. This all-black attire could make her more difficult to spot in wooded or shadowy areas of the nature reserve.
The specific timeframe of her departure, between 6am and 7.30am, coincides with the early morning commute period when the town centre would have been relatively quiet but beginning to see increased activity from workers and early shoppers.
Ilkeston Community on Alert
Ilkeston, a town of approximately 40,000 residents in the Borough of Erewash, sits between Derby and Nottingham near the M1 motorway. The town centre, from where Sheila disappeared, forms the commercial heart of this former mining and textile community.
The area around Manor Floods and the wider Nutbrook Trail network sees regular foot traffic from local residents, dog walkers, and recreational users. Police are likely hoping these regular visitors may have spotted Sheila if she did indeed travel to the nature reserve.
Local community groups and social media pages have begun sharing the police appeal, with residents urged to check doorbell cameras and dashcam footage from Wednesday morning that might show Sheila’s movements after leaving the town centre property.
Search Operations Underway
While Derbyshire Police have not disclosed specific details about their search operations, missing person protocols typically involve coordinated efforts between uniform officers, specialist search teams, and potentially police dogs in cases involving natural areas like Manor Floods.
The nature reserve’s proximity to water features and woodland areas presents particular challenges for search teams. The site includes multiple lakes popular with anglers, as well as paths that can become isolated during quieter periods of the day.
Officers are likely conducting systematic searches of the reserve whilst simultaneously following up on any reported sightings or information from the public. The relatively compact size of Manor Floods – forming part of a trail that takes approximately 37 minutes to walk – allows for thorough coverage by search teams.
Public Urged to Report Information
Anyone who believes they may have seen Sheila on Wednesday morning or has any information about her current whereabouts is urged to contact Derbyshire Police immediately. The force has emphasised the urgency of the situation given their growing concerns for her welfare.
Members of the public visiting Manor Floods or the surrounding areas are asked to remain vigilant and report any findings to police rather than conducting their own searches, which could potentially disturb important evidence.
Dog walkers, joggers, and anglers who were in the Manor Floods area on Wednesday morning are particularly encouraged to think back on whether they noticed anyone matching Sheila’s description. Even seemingly insignificant details could prove crucial in establishing her movements.
How to Contact Police
Derbyshire Police have provided multiple channels for the public to report information about Sheila’s whereabouts. Anyone with information should quote incident number 458 of October 15 when making contact.
Reports can be made via the force’s website using the online contact form, through a private message on Facebook to Derbyshire Constabulary, or by calling 101. In any emergency situation where Sheila is spotted and appears to be in immediate danger, the public should call 999.
The force has also activated its social media channels to spread awareness of the appeal, with the case being shared across local community groups and neighbourhood watch networks throughout the Ilkeston area.
Previous Missing Person Cases
Ilkeston and the surrounding Erewash area have seen several missing person cases in recent years, with Derbyshire Police maintaining dedicated resources for such investigations. The force’s missing persons team works closely with national databases and partner agencies to locate vulnerable individuals.
In August, police successfully located a 29-year-old woman who had gone missing from Ilkeston after a week-long search that involved appeals across Nottinghamshire, where she had known connections. Such cases highlight the importance of rapid public response to missing person appeals.
The proximity of Ilkeston to the Nottinghamshire border, just two miles from Nottingham’s western edge, means missing person investigations often require cross-border cooperation between police forces.
Community Response
Local residents have expressed concern for Sheila’s welfare, with many sharing the police appeal across social media platforms. The Ilkeston community, known for its close-knit nature, has previously rallied to support police searches for missing individuals.
Manor Floods regular visitors are being asked to be particularly observant during their visits to the nature reserve. The site’s popularity with various user groups – from anglers starting early in the morning to family groups visiting during the day – provides multiple opportunities for potential sightings.
As the search continues, police stress that time is of the essence in missing person cases. The longer someone remains missing, particularly in outdoor environments as autumn weather conditions become more challenging, the greater the concern for their welfare.
Anyone with information about Sheila’s whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is urged to contact Derbyshire Police immediately quoting incident number 458 of October 15.
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