9:54am Monday 22nd February 2010
By Laura Kitching
FEARS are growing for a depressed man who has gone missing from his home in Weymouth.
More than 40 volunteers scoured four square miles of woodland near Dorchester this weekend in an attempt to find David Franklin after his car was found at a picnic area.
Officers have also searched Stonehenge in Wiltshire – one of Mr Franklin’s favourite spots – as he is a keen walker who has been known to trek from Weymouth to Salisbury.
Police are appealing for public help in locating Mr Franklin, 30, who is described ‘vulnerable and suffering from depression’.
Inspector Mike Darkin, of Dorset Police, said: “We need to find David Franklin as a matter of urgency and establish that he is safe and well.
“He is vulnerable because of his mental condition and the fact that he did not take his medication when he went missing.
“David has become very isolated over the past year but he does love walking and often walks long distances.
“The day before he went missing from his Weymouth home, Mr Franklin failed to attend a medical appointment at the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.”
He added: “Both Dorset Police and Mr Franklin’s family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare and safety.
“Mr Franklin’s family are understandably very upset and worried and they are being supported and kept fully up to date by police officers.”
Mr Franklin was reported missing from his home in Westham, Weymouth, at 10.30am last Wednesday – he was last seen there the previous morning.
He had not taken his medication with him or his mobile phone, and his worried family said it is unusual for him to go missing.
Mr Franklin’s silver Mitsubishi Charisma five-door saloon car was found at a picnic area in Affpuddle Woods – between Affpuddle and Crossways – near Waddock Cross which is said to be one of his favourite places.
Around 44 search volunteers were involved in a major search of the woodland on Saturday, including members of Dorset Search and Rescue (DORSAR), Hampshire Search and Rescue and other volunteers from the Lowland Search Dogs Southern organisation which brought in search dogs from Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
They covered 80 per cent of the area on Saturday and continued with the remaining 20 per cent during daylight hours yesterday.
Dorset Police’s helicopter was also involved in the search using its thermal imaging equipment, which picks up body heat.
It followed previous searches that began on the afternoon that Mr Franklin went missing after his car was found.
Mr Franklin is described as white, 6ft 2in tall and of heavy build, with long brown hair, a beard and glasses. When he went missing he was wearing a black zip-up fleece, sandy coloured trousers and black trainers.
Insp Darkin said: “We need to ensure that David has not come to any harm, such as an accident.”
Anyone who sees Mr Franklin should immediately call 999 while anyone with information about his whereabouts since he went missing should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01305 222222.
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