Cops searching for Leah Croucher, 20, who vanished in February scour lake after grey hoodie spotted in water
POLICE were seen searching a lake for a missing woman today after a grey hoodie was found in the water.
Leah Croucher was 19 when went missing while walking to work in Milton Keynes, Bucks. on February 15.
A member of the public described spotting a grey hoodie in the water at the Blue Lagoon in Bletchley - few miles from where she disappeared.
Leah, now 20, was wearing a distinctive grey 'Stewartby' taekwondo hoodie with a colourful logo at the time she went missing.
Specialist divers from a private search company with a camera scoured the water as a helicopter was flown overhead and officers with poles searched the shallow areas of lagoon.
Thames Valley Police have said this operation could last up to 10 days.
There was been a massive search to find Leah involving a poster, a social media campaign and a £5,000 reward for information as well as an appeal on Crimewatch.
Today's search comes a week after her mum told ITV's This Morning she believed Leah was dead and she "just wants her daughter's body back" so the family can grieve.
SEARCH CONTINUES
Clare and John, her parents, last saw their daughter on the evening of February 14 after she said she was going to see a friend.
Leah was last seen next day on CCTV heading to work in Furtzon at 8.15am, wearing the grey hoodie.
Her phone and bank account have not been used since.
A search of Lake Furtzon was carried out after three witnesses reported they could have possibly seen Leah there between 9.30am and 11.15am, but nothing was found.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said today: "Officers investigating the disappearance of Leah Croucher, aged 20 years, in Milton Keynes in February have today commenced a search of the lake and surrounding area at the Blue Lagoon in Bletchley.
"This follows information received from a member of the public who has described seeing an item of clothing in that location, a grey hooded top that police believe may be linked to Leah.
"The search is being carried out by specialist police search officers supported by an underwater search team from Specialist Group International.
"The activity is expected to take a number of days and members of the public can expect to see a police presence in the area during this time.
"Leah’s family has been informed of the search activity and continue to be supported by dedicated family liaison officers.
"Leah was last seen in Buzzacott Lane in Furzton, just after 8.15am on Friday February 15 this year.
"She was walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Andy Howard, said: “We are continuing to appeal for information regarding Leah’s movements and whereabouts on February 14 and 15.
“I would like to remind people of the distinctive grey ‘Stewartby’ taekwondo hoody with a colourful logo that Leah was wearing at the time she went missing.
“This search activity is in response to a specific piece of information and could take up to 10 days to complete.
"The Blue Lagoon is a popular public area and if anybody has any information that they believe may be relevant to Leah’s disappearance they will be able to speak to police officers in the area over the coming days.
MOST READ IN NEWS
“Anyone who believes they have information that could assist us is asked to contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101 and quoting Operation Dawlish.
“Alternatively, information relating to the investigation can be left on the dedicated website //mipp.police.uk/operation/43H218A55-PO1.”
The Blue Lagoon is an 18 metre deep lake where two people drowned in 2014.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.