Thomas Jones, 18, pictured, has not been seen since the early hours of Wednesday morning in Worcester
Police rescue teams have been scouring a river in the search for a missing university student who disappeared during Fresher’s Week.
Fears are growing for Thomas Jones, 18, who has not been seen since the early hours of Wednesday morning during his first week at university.
The teenager had been due to begin his studies at the University of Worcester and had only moved to the city last weekend.
Police say his disappearance is completely out of character and specialist dive teams have been searching the River Severn where he was last seen at around 3am.
His worried parents Ian and Vikki have urged the local community to help with the search of their son in the area around Worcester Racecourse.
Ian, 50, said: ‘We’re realists, but we’re also positive people and we’ve got to think positive all the while.
‘Because if we didn’t we’d be letting ourselves down and our family and friends, so we are positive.’
Thomas is described as being white, 5ft 5ins, of slim build, with short mousy brown hair and grey and green coloured eyes.
Mr Jones had only recently moved to the city to begin his degree in Worcester
A specialist dive team has begun searching the River Severn which flows through the city
Police said the teenager’s disappearance is very much out of character and are concerned
Mr Jones was last seen wearing pale coloured jeans, a navy blue woollen zip-up Lacoste top and a pair of green shoes
He was wearing pale coloured jeans, a navy blue woollen zip-up Lacoste top and green shoes when he went missing.
Appeals have been widely shared on social media by friends and family to help find the teenager, who is from Bromsgrove, Worcester.
Detective Inspector Tony Garner, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘Thomas hasn’t been seen or heard from since the early hours of Wednesday morning and given that he was last seen close to the river, we are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.
The University of Worcester said they are deeply concerned about Mr Jones’ safety
West Mercia police have asked taxi drivers working at the time to come forward if they may have picked up anyone fitting Mr Jones’ description
Anyone with information on Mr Jones’ disappearance is asked to call 101 and quote the incident number 431s
Police have carried out extensive searchers of the river bank in an effort to locate the student
‘This is extremely out of character for Thomas and he is new to the area, having only moved to Worcester on Sunday to commence university.’
Police have asked the public not to join the efforts to find Mr Jones as it ‘distracts’ the search teams.
One member of an earlier search party injured themselves on Thursday night.
Specialist divers from South Wales Search and Rescue have today been searching the river by Worcester Rowing Club.
DI Garner said: ‘We continue to search the area for missing Thomas Jones.
‘We have had a number of people turning up to assist with the search for which we are very grateful and understand that people are keen to help, however the area close to the river is dark, wet and slippery and poses a risk.
‘We had a minor incident yesterday in which our search team had to stop and support the ambulance service as someone had injured themselves while helping with the search.
‘In order to prevent this from happening again, we ask that the public stay away at this stage so that our highly trained search divers can work without distraction and continue to conduct a full and thorough search of the river.’
A University of Worcester spokesman said: ‘We are deeply concerned for the whereabouts of one of our students and would urge the public and fellow students to contact police if they have any information.
‘The university’s security staff have been assisting the police in their search. We are in contact with the family and offering support to fellow students.
‘The university takes the safety of all of its students very seriously and, along with the Students’ Union, works closely with bars, nightclubs and taxi firms in the city to help our students to have an enjoyable and safe start to the new academic year.’
Anyone with information on his whereabouts or who wishes to report on potential sightings is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 431s.
Mr Jones’ family have asked members of the public to contact police with any information