Fresh appeal in search for grandad who went missing two weeks ago
POLICE searching for a missing grandfather who suffers from dementia have issued a fresh appeal for help to find him more than two weeks after he disappeared.
Geoffrey Ralph, 74, was last seen on Monday, July 24, near to his Tameside home.
It is understood he was seen at around 2pm on Arbroath Street in Droylsden.
Police have now revealed that extensive searches have been carried out across the Hartshead Pike area of Tameside, where Mr Ralph, a retired electrical engineer, often goes walking.
He is also known to walk around Debdale Park and along the canal from Clayton Vale to Daisy Nook. Mr Ralph’s family has previously issued an appeal for help.
Daughter-in-law Michelle Miller lives with him and his son David, her husband.
Det Insp Richard Ennis said: “We are doing everything in our power to find Geoffrey and are working with our colleagues at mountain rescue and the National Police Aviation Service to cover as much ground as possible.
“Two weeks is an extremely long time for someone of Geoffrey’s age to be away from home with no other clothing, money or possessions than what he had with him at the time he was last seen.
“The search at the weekend around the Hartshead Pike area unfortunately didn’t lead us to any information that would help us to find him so I’m again asking for people to familiarise themselves with Geoffrey’s description and his photographs.
“I’d like to remind people that he has dementia so may be in a confused state and may not understand that he needs to return home.”
Mr Ralph is white, slim and around 5ft 6in, with short, grey hair and a white beard.
He speaks with a Manchester accent and was last seen wearing a black and grey raincoat with orange stripes on the sleeves, brown or beige trousers, a navy pullover and brown Timberland boots. He was also wearing a green corduroy cap.
CCTV footage released by police shows Mr Ralph walking with his dog.
Det Insp Ennis said: “If you see him or may know where he is, please get in touch with us urgently. Your information could be what we need to bring him home to his son and family.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 – or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.