New searches in hunt for missing teen
● Search areas are vast and include challenging terrain, says leading officer
Police continue to search for missing Aberdeen schoolboy Liam Smith.
The 16-year-old was seen on CCTV entering Union Square shopping centre in the city before boarding a No202 Stagecoach Bus at 1.11pm at Aberdeen Bus Station on 17 November.
It is understood he bought a ticket for Raemoir Road in Banchory, but a passenger told police they believe Liam got off at Crathes.
Officers have been focusing on three areas: the bus station, Crathes and Banchory.
Police have carried out further searches as part of their attempts to trace missing Aberdeen schoolboy Liam Smith, helped by mountain rescue teams.
The 16-year-old was seen on CCTV entering Union Square shopping centre in the city before boarding a No202 Stagecoach Bus at 1.11pm at Aberdeen Bus Station on November 17.
It is understood he bought a ticket for Raemoir Road in Banchory, but a passenger told police they believe Liam got off at Crathes.
Officers have been focusing on three areas: the bus station, Crathes and Banchory.
Detectives were at Union Square, Aberdeen Bus Station and on board No202 buses on Saturday and spoke to several drivers and passengers.
Specialist searches are continuing in Crathes and have included farmland, woodland and some areas of water.
Chief Inspector Martin Mackay, who has been leading the inquiry, said: “We don’t know where Liam was intending on going last Saturday and the Crathes and Banchory areas are vast and include challenging terrain.
“Despite searches already carried out, Liam is still missing.”
Police are being assisted by the Aberdeen and Braemar Mountain Rescue Teams, while specialist resources have also been deployed, including a dog unit, road policing patrols and a dashcam appeal at Crathes.
Huge matrix boards are also on display in Banchory asking members of the public if they have seen Liam.
Mr Mackay said: “We are very grateful for the many messages of support for both Liam’s family and the police inquiry and the suggestions we have received. All information passed to us will be followed up.
“We are continuing to urge anyone with information to contact police.”
On Saturday, Scotland’s football manager Alex Mcleish issued a personal appeal for the missing teenager.
The former Aberdeen FC player appeared in a Police Scotland video, when he said: “Liam, if you are watching this message – please come home.”
The schoolboy is known to be a huge football fan.
Seven days after he went missing, officers said they would be focusing their search for clues on three areas: Union Square in Aberdeen, Crathes and Banchory.
They said they would be speaking to members of the public at Union Square and at the bus station in the hope of jogging people’s memories.
Police Scotland said: “Officers will also be on board a number of 202 buses and will be speaking to the drivers and passengers.”