Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Extensive physical searches of the River Taw and surrounding estuary in Barnstaple have now been completed as 14-year-old Taylor Charlton remains missing.

A substantial investigation is ongoing to locate Taylor and to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance on Friday 8 May.

This follows a sustained and focused search operation during the past week involving highly-trained and specialist teams.

A sonar-equipped boat and divers have been utilised to carry out further enquiries along the waterway today [Thursday 21 May]. 

Significant efforts have also included the use of drones, search dogs and the police helicopter. HM Coastguard has been consulted over current and tidal flows within the estuary.

Sadly, Taylor has not been located.

Detectives remain committed to a large-scale and active investigation.

Numerous officers are working to review information and CCTV and have carried out house-to-house, digital and witness enquiries. 

The last-confirmed sighting of Taylor was captured on CCTV in the Tesco Extra car park, in Station Road, at around 10.30pm on Friday 8 May. Footage shows him heading in the direction of the River Taw.

Taylor was reported as missing at around 5.15pm on Saturday 9 May.

Shoes believed to belong to Taylor were respectively found on the high tide line of the riverbank between Sticklepath and Bickington, around 480m apart, on consecutive days on 13 and 14 May.

While all lines of enquiry remain open, investigators believe that Taylor may have entered the water.

Sector Inspector Andy Wills said “We fully understand how difficult and upsetting this continues to be for Taylor’s family, friends, and the wider community.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with them. Taylor’s family continue to be updated and supported by specially-trained officers.

“The River Taw and its estuary present an extremely challenging environment to search, particularly given tidal conditions.

“Over the past week, a rigorous and methodical search of the area has been conducted with support from specialist resources and equipment and partner agencies.

“I want to reassure the public that our investigation remains very much active.

“Detectives continue to carry out extensive enquiries, review information, and carefully assess any new intelligence that comes to light.

“Our commitment to doing everything we can to provide clarity and to find answers for Taylor’s loved-ones will not stop.

“Further searches can and will take place if further information comes to light as part of continuing enquiries.

“We are very grateful for the support shown by the local community throughout this difficult time. It has been significant and deeply appreciated.

“We would continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem to them, to come forward and speak to us.”

If you have information that is urgent please phone 999, or in less pressing circumstances please consider using 101 quoting reference number 50260117084.