Police are “increasingly concerned” about a Lancashire woman’s whereabouts after a man was arrested in connection to her disappearance.
Katie Kenyon, 33, was reported missing after being last seen at around 9.30am on Friday.
Police said a woman matching Ms Kenyon’s description left an address on Todmorden Road in Burnley with a man on Friday morning and travelled in a silver Ford Transit, registration MT57 FLC, to the Bolton by Bowland area of north Lancashire.
Ms Kenyon has not been heard from since.
Officers are following a number of lines of inquiry as searches are underway in the rural area with assistance from firefighters and mountain rescue team members.
Speaking outside Burnley Police Station, Detective Superintendent Gary Brooks said: “Katie is still missing and we are increasingly concerned about her whereabouts.
“We have significant police resources committed to finding Katie. The police are running a high-risk missing from home investigation with the absolute priority of finding Katie.”
He said that as a result of police inquiries, a man has been arrested “who is known to Katie”.
“We believe he travelled in a vehicle – a silver transit van – with Katie to the area of Bolton by Bowland by Gisburn Forest. Katie’s whereabouts or sightings since then are unknown,” Det Supt Brooks said.
“The primary objective is to find Katie So we are utilising police enquiries to try and identify search parameters.
Gisburn Forest ‘area of interest’
He said police are “confident” that Ms Kenyon travelled in the silver transit van and that the area surrounding Gisburn Forest is an “area of significant interest”.
“We have officers who are especially search trained who are looking to find Katie in that area,” he said.
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Detective Chief Inspector Al Davies, of the Force Major Investigation Team, reiterated Det Supt Brooks’ concerns.
He said: “We continue to be extremely concerned about Katie and we have a large team who are working hard to try and find out what has happened to her.
“I am keeping an open mind about what has happened to her but my concern obviously grows as time goes by.
“I would appeal again for anyone who was in the Bolton by Bowland area on Friday and saw anything suspicious to get in touch, especially if they saw the silver van or Katie alone or in company.
“Please do come and speak to us even if you think the information you have may not be important.”
Ms Kenyon is described as white and 5ft 9in, with shoulder-length blonde hair.
She was last seen wearing a blue cardigan, light blue and white top, black leggings and flip flops.
Her family, who have said her disappearance is out of character, are being supported by specially trained officers.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log 800 of April 24 or you can contact us through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119P01-PO1
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
