EMERGENCY services carried out searches late into the evening to locate an 18-year-old man who went missing following an incident in the water off Rockley Park.

A multi-agency search operation was launched after Callum Osborne-Ward was unaccounted for on the afternoon of Monday, July 26.

Police, fire, ambulance, RNLI and coastguard teams all rushed to the coastal location in Poole at around 4pm.

Concerns had been raised by members of the public over people in the water near Rockley Point.

A Dorset Police statement, issued on Monday evening, said 10 people were checked over by paramedics, with three taken to hospital as a precaution.

Enquiries by officers established that Mr Osborne-Ward was unaccounted for and searches were commenced.

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent was sent to the area, while efforts on the water and on dry land were carried out to locate the teenager.

Chief Inspector Glen Doran, of Dorset Police, said: “At this current time Callum remains unaccounted for and we cannot say for certain whether he is still in the water or has made it to land and is lost somewhere in the local area.

“We are working with the Coastguard and RNLI to carry out extensive searches of the water and shoreline and I am appealing to anyone who has any information as to his whereabouts – or who sees a young man matching the description given – to please contact us immediately.”

Mr Osborne-Ward is described as white, five feet five inches tall and with short brown hair. He has the word ‘Dad’ tattooed on his chest and was wearing blue swimming shorts.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard Rescue Teams from Poole, Kimmeridge and Southbourne, RNLI lifeboats from Poole and the search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent are this evening (July 26) continuing to search, with assistance from Dorset Police and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, for a reported missing person last seen in the water off Rockley Park, Poole.

In a Facebook post late on Monday night, Poole RNLI asked people not to go out and join the searches.

A spokesperson for the team said: "Both lifeboats and other volunteers have been out on service, we all want to help and do as much as possible but there are enough assets in the right places, continuing with an extensive search. 

"Please may we ask people to refrain from going out to search as light is failing and areas are quite treacherous,  we want people to stay safe. 

"There are trained people working very hard, so please take care."