Residents in Billingham have been asked to check their sheds and outhouses as the search for missing 18-year-old Lewis Penfold-Roche ramps up. 

Lewis was last seen, exactly one month ago, around 6pm on Sunday 28th January, on Station Road in Billingham, heading towards Central Avenue.

Neighbourhood officers have delivered hundreds of leaflets to homes in the area near where Lewis was last seen - one month onto the day of Lewis’ last confirmed sighting.

The leaflets will ask residents on Station Road and surrounding areas to check their sheds and outhouses for any signs of disturbance or anyone living there.

As part of the ongoing investigation, searches have been carried out by specialist search teams including railway lines and embankments in the area, as well as carrying out extensive enquiries with Lewis’ family and friends and scouring hours of CCTV footage.  

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Chris Pringle, said: “Today we are delivering leaflets in the area close to where Lewis was last seen and surrounding areas, as we urge residents in the local area to check sheds and outhouses for signs of anyone living there or a disturbance.

“It is now one month to the day that Lewis was last seen, and we remain extremely concerned for his welfare. I would like to reiterate to Lewis, if he’s reading this, that lots of people are really concerned for him and everyone wants to know he’s safe so please contact police or friends and family.

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“Again, if anyone has any information regarding Lewis’ whereabouts, we would ask them to come forward and speak to police.”

Lewis is described as having a London accent, 6ft tall, mousey brown hair which is short on the sides and longer on the top. He was last seen wearing a dark red coat, green/silver backpack with the word “Hype” written on it, black jogging bottoms, a black skeleton jumper and dark grey Adidas trainers. He may now have changed his clothing.

Anyone who may have seen Lewis, or anyone who knows his whereabouts, is asked to contact Cleveland Police as a matter of urgency on 101. Please contact police directly in the first instance rather than report sightings on social media so officers can respond immediately. Please quote reference number 017293 or go online here: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)