Vulnerable woman, 66, missing from her Wallasey home



POLICE are appealing for the public's help in finding a vulnerable woman who went missing in the Wallasey area of Wirral on Sunday.

Elizabeth Carter, aged 66, of Leyburn Avenue, Wallasey, was reported missing by her son at 2.20pm after she failed to come home from St Hillary's Church in Claremont Road, where she had been between noon and 2pm.

Mrs Carter left behind some of her belongings in church, including her cardigan and a bag containing money, and police are growing increasingly concerned about her safety.

She suffers from Alzheimer's disease and depression and has gone missing once before, on August 5, but was found in Seabank Road, Wallasey, by her family.

A large-scale police operation was launched yesterday to find Mrs Carter.

Extra police officers were drafted in to help Wirral neighbourhood teams search Wallasey and the surrounding area into the early hours and the search is continuing today.

The force's helicopter was mobilised and search dogs have been used.

The Ports Police and Coastguard have been alerted and Mrs Carter's details have been circulated among taxi drivers and bus and train operators.

Superintendent Mike Cloherty from the Wirral Command Team said: "The police and Elizabeth's family and friends are growing increasingly concerned for her safety and I would like to ask the public for their help in finding her.

"Elizabeth had attended church at St Hilary's as normal yesterday, where she was seen by the priest and members of the congregation, right up until around 2pm.

"However she has then failed to return home and the fact that she has left her things in church, along with her current medical condition, is a real concern.

"Her family are deeply worried and just want to know where she is and that she is safe and well.

"I would urge Elizabeth or anyone who has seen her to get in touch straight away, either with the police or through the Missing Persons Helpline."

Elizabeth was wearing a pale yellow t-shirt, light green trousers and blue and white canvas shoes when she was last seen at St Hillary's church at 2pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2977 or the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700 700.