Police search waterways for missing Eastwood man

Around 15 officers are trying to find the 32-year-old from Eastwood, who has not been seen for 16 days.

This afternoon (Friday) they walked a section of the Earl Fitzwilliam Canal and River Don, near Mr Higgs' Eastwood home, behind Parkgate Shopping.

Officers also travelled the same section of water in a dinghy, looking for any trace of him on the riverbank, while a helicopter has also been involved in the search.

Det Insp Mark Oughton, who leads the investigation, gave a press conference on the canal bank today.

He said: "Daniel has now been missing for 16 days. I am extremely concerned about his welfare and would would like him to get in touch with us.

"If anyone has seen him in the last 16 days, I would also like them to get in touch.

"Lastly if there is anyone who lives in the local area or in rural areas surrounding, I'd like them to check sheds and outbuildings to see if Daniel has sought shelter in those locations."

Officers have been interviewing Mr Higgs' friends and relatives, as well as scouring CCTV footage and looking for him during daylight hours.

"We've done a lot of searching over the last two weeks," said Det Insp Oughton.

"Today we've been searching local river banks, but we've also been searching local woodland and parks as well as speaking to friends and neighbours.

"I am very positive and I want to remain positive. My main emphasis at this time is to find Daniel safe and well.

"The search operation will go on while we've got daylight and we will continue searching into the weekend."

Police are concerned that Mr Higgs has not received any medication since he went missing.

Det Insp Oughton said: "Our concern is that Daniel is overdue some medication and that does make him vulnerable.

"There is no information to suggest that anyone has taken him. He has been missing months previously, but he turned up in a couple of days.

"This is out of character and that's why I am very concerned to find him."

Anyone with information about Mr Higgs' whereabouts is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident 957 of November 24.