Police 'No Closer' To Finding Teenager

Police investigating the disappearance of Damien Nettles on the Isle of Wight are starting a new review of all information available in the case.

The decision comes at the end of a six-month period during which a £20,000 police reward was on offer for facts to find the teenager, who was last seen in Cowes on November 2nd 1996.

Following the announcement of the reward on October 4, 2012, police received 30 reports of information up until this Thursday (April 4, 2013).

Hampshire Police say each of the 30 reports of information have been examined but none of the information led to new lines of enquiry. However, the case will not be closed.

Hampshire Constabulary's Operation Ridgewood Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent David Powell said: "I am disappointed that the offer of a £20,000 reward over six months has not led to any new facts or credible leads on the location of Damien Nettles.

"The reward has been publicised extensively since last October, and the police remain grateful to all the people and organisations that have given time and support in encouraging information from the public.

"Regrettably and reluctantly, we've had to face the conclusion that the offer of a reward has not taken us any closer to finding out what happened to Damien.

"Therefore, Hampshire Constabulary has taken the difficult decision not to extend the reward.

"Although we always appreciate every single sincere thought and effort to help the police - the information we have received since October has repeated previous unfounded speculation, contained factually inaccurate details - or fallen short of police standards for a reliable source.

"I understand and respect the Nettles family's views on why the reward should be extended, but after much deliberation and careful consideration, I am not convinced at this time that the extension of a police reward can bring us closer to finding Damien."