Police are making an appeal for information today, on the week anniversary since a woman went missing from Milton Keynes.
Leah Croucher, aged 19, was last seen in Buzzacott Lane in Furzton, just after 8.15am on Friday 15th February. She was walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way.
Leah was reported missing by her family, who last saw her in Quantock Crescent, Emerson Valley, in Milton Keynes, at around 10pm on Thursday 14th February. She was reported missing to the police the following day (15/2).
Chief Inspector Neil Kentish said: “It has been a week since Leah was last seen in Buzzacott Lane in Furzton. She was captured on CCTV at about 8.15am and has not been seen since.
“It is totally out of character for Leah to go missing. She hasn’t spoken to any family or friends, she hasn’t used her bank cards and hasn’t been on social media during this time.
“We need your help to find Leah. Have you seen her? Have you spoken to her? Have you heard someone talking about seeing or speaking to her?
“We also would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage from Furzton, Emerson Valley, Shenley Lodge, Knowlhill and surrounding areas on Friday 15th February between 8am to 11am.
“If you have any information whatsoever, please contact us. We have set up a special website for this investigation, where information can be left. Alternatively, you can visit a police station or call 101, quoting 43190049929.
“Perhaps these pictures of Leah will jog someone’s memory. Leah is white, slim, with below shoulder length brown hair and sometimes wears glasses.
“She was last seen dressed in a black coat, skinny black jeans, black Converse high top shoes and carrying a small black rucksack.
“Leah is known to travel on foot through the Furzton area and into Knowlhill.
“We have been carrying out a thorough investigation to find Leah and have created a dedicated team to this case.
“We have carried out house to house enquiries, knocking on about 4,000 doors, searched areas including Furzton Lake, and have been handing out leaflets in the city.
“We also have specially trained officers who are supporting Leah’s family at this difficult time.
“Leah’s family and friends intend to hand out leaflets in Milton Keynes at the weekend, and MK Dons Football Club has kindly agreed to run our appeal on their big screens at their game against Newport County tomorrow.
“Overnight we have had two unconfirmed sightings of Leah in the Knowlhill area, where searches are currently taking place. I want to thank everyone who is helping to find Leah and reiterate my appeal to anyone with information to come forward.”
Information can be left via the following dedicated website https://mipp.police.uk/operation/43H218A55-PO1/
The following statement is issued on behalf of Leah’s parents, Claire and John Croucher: “Leah is a bright, confident and loving 19-year-old. She loves fantasy fiction, both reading it and writing and publishing it herself.
She loves watching DVD boxsets in her room. She doesn’t really like pubs or clubbing much and generally comes home by 1am at the latest if she does go. She is a family orientated person and is caring about her family and friends. She is kind and generous and always helps people any way she can. She loves taekwondo and attends classes with her dad.
“We are going on a family holiday in just under two weeks which Leah was really looking to. She had helped us pick out the hotel at the airport the night before.
“She has an excellent sense of humour and her cheeky side can shine through. She mainly chooses to communicate with her friends through social media or texting.
It is unbelievable to her family and friends that she would choose not to contact anyone for the past seven days in any format available to the youth of today. Leah would not wish to cause the worry or fuss that has arisen due to her highly unusual disappearance.
“She is a creature of habit who loves her home comforts.
“We again would like to thank family friends and colleagues for their continuing support at this impossible time of our lives. We would like to thank the police officers, PCSOs and professional volunteers as well as all the behind the scenes officers for their continued efforts in trying to bring our daughter home. We wish them all the luck in the universe.
“Leah if you are able to see or hear this please, please get in touch or better still come home. It doesn’t have to be mum or dad you contact. You can call, text, email, Facebook or Snap Chat anyone you feel comfortable with. Just show us you are safe.
“Your family, friends, work colleagues and the taekwondo community across the world are extremely concerned for your welfare. Just drop someone a call to say you are ok.
We are beside ourselves with worry. Nan and Grandad are beside themselves with worry. Your aunties, uncles, brother and sister are worried. Everyone wants you to be safe. Please come home.
“You are not in any trouble. We love you so much. We want our beautiful, wonderful daughter back home with us. If there is something bothering you we can help you sort it out.
You are not alone. You will never be alone as long as we are alive. We will support you in any way we can. Always. But you have to come home to us. We miss you terribly. Please call us so we can come and get you. We love you.”
For more news stories in Milton Keynes, follow us on www.twitter.com/thisistotalmk
And on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thisistotalmk
