CONCERNED members of the public have gathered in Yarm to help in the search for missing Luke Jobson.

But police are warning that they cannot help with public searches at this time and that specially-trained officers are scouring the area.

The police helicopter and mountain rescue teams have been out searching for Luke, who was last seen in Yarm in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Allan Hodgson, estate manager at Yarm School told the crowd: "At the moment we are a live school with 700 to 800 children. I don't think anyone will achieve anything but we will cooperate if you want to satisfy your own minds.

The Northern Echo:

"As you all know it's a police matter from the school's perspective.

"We are reviewing CCTV footage. We can't allow people to wander through the school itself."

There are about 100 people in Yarm to try to help in the search, which was organised unofficially on social media.

The searchers will now split off into groups, with some looking around the Stokesley area.

Mr Hodgson added: "I've been asked to tell you all. The organiser has asked people to head out to Seamer - areas off the beaten track.
"There's absolutely no point looking around the school grounds.

"It was searched at least four times yesterday by the mountain rescue team. There is no evidence of him being on school grounds.

"The school is being used as a meeting point."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said on Monday morning: "Police are aware that members of Luke’s family and friends had planned to attend areas around Yarm School to search for him this morning.

"While we completely understand their concern and distress at his disappearance we have to warn anyone who turns up that unfortunately we cannot facilitate public searches at this stage as specially trained police search teams remain in the area. 

"Furthermore, Yarm School grounds are private property and it would be inappropriate for people to turn up and access this land.

"Again, we acknowledge this public search was organised in the very best interests of Luke and his family, but we would ask them to work with police and be guided by experienced and specially trained officers who are well versed in safe, resource effective search methods."

Police are asking for dashcam footage and private CCTV in the hunt for Luke, 22, who was outside The Keys on Yarm High Street before going up towards Osbournes. He was then last seen near Yarm School at about 2.15am on Saturday, January 26 wearing black jeans and a grey polo top.

Luke has not returned home or been in touch with family or friends and they are extremely concerned as it is out of character.

Detectives are appealing for taxi drivers and other drivers in the area between 2am and 3am on January 26 to check any dashcam footage and those who live in Yarm to check private CCTV.

  • Anyone with information or who has seen Luke is asked to call Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101.