A MAJOR search was launched on the North York Moors for a 53-year-old who has gone missing from his home in the grounds of a historic country house.

North Yorkshire Police said officers were "very concerned" for the welfare of Steven Mead after he left his home at Arden Hall, Hawnby, near Helmsley on Tuesday at around 8.40pm.

He was seen to enter the woods surrounding the grade II listed early 18th century property.

Officers, police search dogs and search and rescue volunteers have carried out extensive searches in the area and officers are appealing to members of the public to contact the police if they have seen a man matching Mr Mead’s description.

He is described as white, of medium build with greying, wavy hair. When he was last seen he was wearing black trousers, a black fleece and walking boots. He does not have any money, transport or mobile phone with him.

A police spokesman said: "The area where he has gone missing from is isolated and rural with a number of walking routes that lead across the moors and through woodlands. However, it is possible that Steven may have headed to a more built-up area."

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team were also involved in the search.

A spokesman said: "20 members of the team responded to the callout and searched, in very wet and misty conditions, the paths and wooded area around the hall to a distance of between one and two kilometres.

"The Team stood down at 0500.

"We were called back to help in the search at 1200hrs and repeated the search of some of the areas we covered during the night as well as extending the range to around 3 km.

"We were assisted in the search by 13 members of RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Team and out two search dogs Bonnie and Jake.

"After consultation the police decided to scale down the search and we stood down at 1700hrs."

Officers are appealing to both walkers in the area and to anyone who believes they have seen Mr Mead in the area from Thirsk to Helmsley to Stokesley to contact them.

  • Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room.