A police force's most senior investigating officer has been appointed to head an inquiry into the latest disappearance of a prostitute from a red light town.

An incident room has been opened at Middlesbrough Police Station and Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson has been given a 40-strong Cleveland Police team in his search for clues to the whereabouts of 19-year-old Rachel Wilson.

Like vice girl Vicky Glass, 21, whose remains were found on the North Yorkshire Moors two years ago and prostitute Donna Keogh who disappeared from the town without trace in 1998, Rachel is a drugs addict.

Detective Supt Hutchinson said: "Whilst I am aware that we currently have an unsolved murder of a prostitute and indeed, have another missing from home, there is nothing at this moment in time to suggest that Rachel's disappearance is linked with these inquiries; but it is fair to say I am keeping an open mind.''

Rachel was last seen plying her trade in Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, at about 11.30pm a fortnight ago tomorrow evening. And that was where police concentrated their house to house inquiries for the missing teenager and a physical search of the area for clues.

What concerns her family, social workers who know her and the police is that despite her problems Rachel never let a day go by without a visit or telephone call to her mother or her grandmother and grandfather.

But nothing has been heard of the youngster who started taking heroin and crack cocaine 18 months ago and walked the streets to pay for her habit.

A dedicated, trained family police liaison officer was been assigned to the family.

Mr Hutchinson said: "I am becoming increasingly concerned over the disappearance of Rachel Wilson.

"She has had not contact whatsoever with her family and she is very close to her family. She speaks on a regular basis to both her mother and grandmother. Rachel's disappearance is somewhat out of character and for that reason I am becoming increasingly concerned at her disappearance."

He said: "An incident room has been set up here in Middlesbrough and I would appeal to anybody who has information with regard to Rachel's disappearance; anybody who saw Rachel after 11.30pm on Thursday, May 30, or anybody who has spoken to Rachel since that time, to please contact the incident room." All calls to the incident room, telephone number (01642) 303187 will be treated in confidence, the senior detective said.