Sarah Wellgreen: Police divers search river for missing mother of five who vanished 18 days ago

Police handout photo of Sarah Wellgreen, who was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green, Kent, during the evening of Tuesday, October 9 (PA/police handout)

Police are scouring a river in Kent in the search for a mother of five who vanished more than a fortnight ago.

Sarah Wellgreen, 46, was last seen on October 9 in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green and was reported missing on October 11.

She has not been in touch with her family since and her car was left at her home address.

Ms Wellgreen has not made any transactions on her bank or credit cards since her disappearance and her black iPhone 4 is said to be the only item missing from her home.

Her disappearance is being treated as a potential murder by detectives, who began searching the River Darent in Dartford town centre on Saturday.

Earlier this week officers also searched drains and used a drone around the town, which is about nine miles from New Ash Green.

Detective Inspector Chris Greenstreet said: “Our officers are continuing to carry out searches, which include Dartford town centre and areas near Fawkham, in connection with the disappearance and potential murder of New Ash Green mother of five Sarah Wellgreen.

Mother of five Sarah Wellgreen, 46, was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green, Kent, during the evening of Tuesday, 9 October. Her disappearance is now being treated as a potential murder by Kent Police. (Kent Police/PA)

“Officers are being assisted by Kent Fire and Rescue Service personnel with their drone. In Dartford, Kent County Council contractors have assisted with the examination of drains and Dartford Borough Council have also helped officers with ongoing searches.”

Kent Police added: “Marine search unit officers are currently searching the River Darent in Dartford town centre in connection with the disappearance and potential murder of New Ash Green mother of five Sarah Wellgreen.”

Earlier in the week police appealed to anyone who might have video footage from the night Ms Wellgreen went missing to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Paul Fotheringham said at the time: “Residents, businesses and landowners in the rural areas around New Ash Green are asked to check their outhouses, and areas surrounding their properties.

“We are particularly interested to hear from anyone with fixed CCTV cameras within a five-mile radius of New Ash Green, whether this is residential or commercial CCTV, to come forward.

“Likewise, anyone who was out on the evening of 9 October to the morning of 10 October in that five-mile area who has dash cam in their vehicle please contact us.”

A man aged in his 30s was arrested on 16 October and was released on bail pending further inquiries until 16 November.

About 200 people volunteered to help police carry out searches in the area near to Ms Wellgreen’s home last weekend.

Ms Wellgreen is described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build, with green eyes and straight brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 101 quoting 11-0423.