New photos have been released by police searching for missing Burnham-On-Sea man Dean Tate, who has not been seen since Saturday.
Mr Tate, 40, pictured, has been missing since 2am on Saturday morning (February 24th) when he was seen at TA8s Bar in Burnham’s Pier Street after earlier visiting the nearby Somerset and Dorset pub.
The new photos released by Police show Dean has a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his head. Police are still appealing for anyone who has seen him since 2am on Saturday to contact them.
Signals from his mobile phone were last picked up at around 3am on Saturday morning and he has not been seen since which his family says is out of character.
A huge search operation started on Saturday and has seen crews searching rivers, lakes, beaches and land around Burnham for any trace of him.
Police divers were also brought in to conduct an underwater search of Apex Park’s lakes on Monday, but no sign of missing Dean was found.
BARB Search & Rescue’s hovercraft and RNLI lifeboats were launched during Monday to conduct a search of the coastline and river banks, alongside Coastguards. Foot searches were also undertaken.
The search has involved Police, Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue, HM Coastguard, BARB Search & Rescue, the RNLI, fire service, and Devon and Cornwall Police, as pictured here.
Detective Sergeant Grant Boyd from Avon and Somerset Police says: “Dean’s disappearance is out of character and we’re increasingly concerned for his welfare.”
“We continue to need the public’s help and are now asking people in the area to check their sheds and garages in case Dean has sought shelter there.”
“We’re also keen for motorists who may have driven through the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge areas between 10pm on Friday and this morning to review their footage for signs of Dean.”
Dean is white, 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with short dark brown hair and brown eyes. When he was last seen he was wearing a black short-sleeved T-shirt with badges on the arms, black jeans and black Nike trainers. He also wore a heavy brown leather Superdry jacket.
Coastguards searching the river banks this week (Burnham Coastguard)
DS Boyd added: “Specialist police search advisors are co-ordinating the search and we’re using a significant amount of resources, including the police helicopter and dogs.”
“Colleagues from Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue, HM Coastguard, BARB Search & Rescue, the RNLI, Avon Fire and Rescue and Devon and Cornwall Police are also assisting our efforts to find Dean.”
Pictured: The fire service searching a drain at Apex Park’s lakes
He added: “We strongly urge any members of the public who wish to help, to think of their own personal safety before looking for Dean.
“There are several watercourses in the area and the water at this time of year can be icy cold and very dangerous to even the young and fit. Please don’t put yourself at risk.”
If you see Dean, or have information which could help the Police, call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5218042329.
A Coastguard spokesman added: “This is an ongoing incident and we are aware that there are many concerned members of the public. We ask that anyone out searching doesn’t risk their own safety.”
Pictured: BARB’s multi-terrain vehicle was used to scour river banks
“Please stay away from the edge of any water and away from muddy areas, we don’t want people becoming casualties as this will also divert resources from the task in hand. If you have any new information then dial 101 and quote Ref:5218042329.”
Dean’s partner, Sarah Jane Reeve, and children say they are “extremely worried”. “We just want him home safe,” they said in a social media post. “If anyone has seen Dean Tate please let me know – me and the kids are extremely worried.”
Police horses were also brought in to join the search for the missing man
Crews investigating footprints across the mud in the River Brue
A foot search involving Coastguards and BARB crews along the coastline
Avon and Somerset Search & Rescue set up their base at Apex Park
The RNLI was also called out to search river banks and the estuary
The lifeboat crew near the Clyce in Highbridge on Sunday afternoon
The fire service’s boat searching the banks of Apex Park’s lakes
