Appeal for missing 54 year old man, Arthur Thompson

Arthur Thompson left Heightside House Nursing Home, Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall at around 10.30am on Thursday 11 September but failed to return

Police are growing increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of a 54 year old man who has been missing for more than a week.

Arthur Thompson left Heightside House Nursing Home, Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall at around 10.30am on Thursday 11 September but failed to return.

There were a number of possible sightings of him later that day sat on a bench near to the bus stop opposite the Red Lion Pub and Higher Cloughfold Stores on Newchurch Road.

Officers believe that he could have travelled to the Middleton area as this is believed to be where he grew up, but officers aren’t ruling out that he could have remained in the local area of Rossendale.

There are possible sightings of him in the Millbeck Road area of Middleton at around 6pm on Friday 12 September and close to Middleton Gardens at around 6am on Saturday 13 September.

He suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and is not thought to have taken his medication for more than a week.

He is not thought to have a bus pass with him but he is thought to have some cash, and he may potentially be living on the streets.

Arthur is described as white, 6ft 2 tall of a slim build with short, straight grey receding hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, black trousers and a beige coat. He is known to walk with a prominent stoop to the right and often talks to himself.

Sergeant Andy Horne of Burnley Police said: “It has been more than a week now since Mr Thompson left the nursing home and we are growing increasingly concerned about his welfare as he is not thought to have his important medication with him.

“He may appear disorientated or confused and we believe that he may be becoming increasingly anxious. I would urge anyone who may have seen him to get in touch so that we can ensure his safe return.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference LC-20140911-1328.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.