Ipswich: 8 Years Since Luke Durbin Disappeared

9 May 2014, 11:51 | Updated: 9 May 2014, 11:54

Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to missing teenager Luke Durbin from Ipswich, as the anniversary of his disappearance approaches.

Monday 12 May will mark eight years since Luke, from Hollesley, near Woodbridge was last seen. He disappeared after a night out with friends in Ipswich on the night of Thursday 11 May 2006 through to the early hours of Friday 12 May.

Luke had spent part of the evening in Zest nightclub on Princes Street, Ipswich before trying to make his way home.

Officers plotted Luke's route through Ipswich town centre towards Hawk Express taxi office in Old Foundry Road, Ipswich. Luke attempted to get a lift home but didn't have any money and was declined when he asked to set up an account.

The last sighting of Luke was when he was seen on CCTV walking across Dogs Head Street in Ipswich in the direction of the bus station at 4am on Friday 12 May.

He was reported missing to Suffolk Police by his mother, Nicki on Saturday 13 May 2006.

In November 2013 Detective Superintendent John Brocklebank from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team appeared live on BBC Crimewatch where he urged people to come forward with information.

A number of calls were made to the programme and the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team and detectives which were followed up.

In February 2014 as part of continued investigations specialist officers carried out searches in a wooded area in Ufford between the B1438 and The Avenue/Parklands.

In March an area of the woodland was cordoned off following the discovery of a bone.

Initial tests on the bone suggested that it is a small piece of human bone but further detailed tests are currently being carried out to establish if the origin of the bone can be identified.

The cordon at Ufford has since been lifted but with the anniversary of Luke's disappearance arriving Detective Superintendent John Brocklebank is again appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Det/Supt Brocklebank said: "I remain convinced that someone locally knows what has happened to Luke and I can completely understand that some people may feel a reluctance to come forward. I would like to reassure those people that we can protect them if necessary and they can come forward in complete confidence to speak to an officer on the case."

Anyone with information into Luke Durbin's disappearance is asked to call the Incident Room at Suffolk Police Major Investigation Team on 01473 668999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.