EMERGENCY services and coastguard were scrambled last night to search for a missing person believed to have gone in the water in Hartlepool.

The coastguard was called just after midnight this morning, August 6 to find a person who entered the water from Hartlepool’s headland.

Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team said: “We were called out during the night to assist Cleveland Police with a search for a possible missing person after members of the public had prevented someone entering the water who then ran off from Town Wall on Hartlepool Headland.

“Coastguard Officers carried out an extensive shoreline search around the Headland area whilst the inshore lifeboat from Hartlepool RNLI carried out a search of the water in poor weather and sea conditions.”

A police spokesperson said: “Just before 11.30pm last night (Thursday, August 5) police received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen what she believed to be a man in some distress on the Town Wall on the Headland.  The caller and partner had spoken with him and he had left the steps and walked away.

“Several officers attended the area and conducted an area search as well as house to house enquiries. We also liaised with Durham Police to rule out any missing people from their area and liaised with ambulance service colleagues.  Coastguard also attended and searched the harbour area.

“No one matching the man’s description was located and after an extensive coordinated search all agencies stood down pending any further sightings or information which, to date, we have not received."

With no signs of anyone in distress and no new information, the incident was handed back to police officers pending further information.

They issued a reminder in all coastal emergencies to call 999 for the Coastguard.