POLICE have issued a fresh appeal for help to find missing man Gabriel Kariuki, saying they are "deeply concerned" for his welfare.
Officers continue the search for the 26-year-old, who was reported missing from his home in Hartlepool a week ago.
Gabriel, who lives in the Grange Road area, was last seen by his mum on the evening of Monday, May 17.
Cleveland Police then have a report of him walking on Victoria Road, near to Loons public house at around 12.30am (half past midnight).
It is said to be very out of character for Gabriel to go missing and he is usually in very regular contact with his mother.
The force is focusing its search around Hartlepool and the Cleveland area but is also working with British Transport Police as he may have travelled by train to the Birmingham or Luton areas.
Posters have been displayed across the force area and friends have shared the appeal far and wide, in a bid to bring him home safely.
A police spokesperson said: "We’re grateful to the thousands of people who have shared Gabriel’s image in the hope it will assist our search for him.
"We are deeply concerned for Gabriel’s welfare."
Gabriel’s family are desperate for news.
Gabriel is described as a black male, of medium build, around 5ft 6in tall with black hair which was braided on top and shaved at the sides.
His outerwear is now decribed as a blue corduroy jacket with a cream shearling collar - of a waist-length, jean jacket style - rather than a blue parka-style coat as initially described.
He was also wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a green hooded top underneath the jacket and orange Nike brand trainers. He had a black rucksack with him.
New images shared by friends and colleagues have also been shared in a bid to locate him.
The police spokesperson added: "Our missing person enquiry is focusing on Hartlepool and the wider Cleveland area but we also know that from his personal and working life Gabriel had links to Birmingham and Luton.
"We are working closely with British Transport Police as Gabriel may have travelled to these areas by train.
"Gabriel’s family are desperate for news.
"If you have any information which you think could assist our search please call police on 101, reference 079458."
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