Mother’s appeal after student, 21 disappears at 3am in just her vest and shorts
FEARS were growing last night for a 21year- old student who went missing in freezing temperatures wearing only a vest and shorts.
Police said the last sighting of Sophie Smith was on a neighbour’s CCTV, recorded after she left the family home in Gorleston- onSea, Norfolk, around 3am on Boxing Day.
Her mother Lynn Shaw pleaded online: ‘You are my world. Why didn’t I protect you? Please come home. Please just walk through the door.’
Inspector Will Drummond, from Norfolk Police, said officers were increasingly concerned for the welfare of the University of East Anglia biomedicine student.
He added: ‘We are concerned about her recent behaviour. We are more concerned that she went out at 3am under-prepared for the weather we have in Norfolk at the moment – we have got quite a bit of wind and it has been very cold.
‘We have had no contact with her since she has gone missing. She has no mobile phone or purse with her, just the clothes she was wearing.
‘We don’t think there is anything suspicious about her disappearance. We are treating it as a missing person inquiry. As you can imagine, Sophie’s family are extremely worried and shaken.’
Insp Drummond said police were looking for her with volunteers from Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue, adding: ‘We are asking people to be vigilant and keep an eye out.
‘We are particularly appealing for help from taxi drivers who may have dash-cam footage of her.’
Lifeboat crews have also been searching nearby cliffs and beaches.
Sophie is described as around 5ft 8in tall, of slim build, with shoulderlength blonde hair.
Hundreds of people shared appeals on social media, including a family friend who wrote on Facebook: ‘Please anybody around Gorleston today, especially up near the cliffs/ seafront, can you keep your eyes peeled for our dear, dear friend Sophie. As she is somebody that only ever thinks of others, I am worried that she is cold somewhere and in need of help from us, so please help us to find her soon.’
A friend added: ‘If spotted, please call police immediately. Her family and friends have been looking for her. Any information would be useful as she is probably exhausted and freezing in this weather.
‘If you are a business and have CCTV in the local area around Gorleston, please check footage for her.
‘Helicopters and boats have been out looking with no luck, so any help is good.’
A spokesman for the University of East Anglia said: ‘ Our thoughts are very much with Sophie, her family and her friends.’