‘Police were there for dad’ say missing man’s grateful family

handling of the case.

Janet Laidlow raised the alarm when her 84-year-old dad, who had recently suffered a stroke, failed to return from a hospital appointment.

She said: “I genuinely believed the police were there for dad and I, and, although I hope I will never need to make a similar call again, I can honestly say I would not hesitate to do so.”

Janet’s father had already left the hospital when she phoned there, and staff suggested she file a missing persons report with the police.

Janet placed the call, not wanting to waste police time, but keen to act quickly in case her father had become stranded and was unable to get home.

Her call was answered promptly and Janet was given time to explain the situation and give a detailed description, which helped her to build up a picture of what might have happened before filing a full missing person’s registration.

She said: “I did not find this an easy experience.

After more calls to relatives and a social club, an officer met Janet at her father’s bungalow in Balmoral Road, Salisbury.

She said: “Thankfully however, after an hour of heightened activity and raised anxiety, Dad reappeared having spent four hours at the hospital, being discharged at 7pm, and collecting a fish and chip supper on his trip home!”

“I was never made to feel I was wasting time even after Dad’s reappearance,” she said.

“We often read negative feedback regarding public services but I would like to thank the Wiltshire Constabulary for its support and reassurance.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We are delighted that Mrs Laidlow’s father was located safe and well and that Mrs Laidlow felt she was given a good service by Wiltshire Police.

“It is an extremely stressful time for a family when a relative goes missing and we are committed to doing all we can to assist the family members in finding their loved one as quickly as possible.”