THE FAMILY of missing Martyn Richardson have said they "just want him back home" one week into the search.
Martyn was last seen in the Bocking area at around 8.30pm on Saturday, August 24, and reported missing when he hadn’t returned home the following day.
Now, more than a week on, his family have issued a plea to bring him home.
Martyn’s Nan, Mary, said: “Martyn is a dearly loved member of our family, and we just want him back home.
“He is a sensitive and loving boy who would help anyone if he could.
“We are desperate for any news of Martyn’s whereabouts or information that can help the police find out where he is."
She continued: “Martyn, if you can see this, please get in touch with us or the police.
“We love you and just want you home safe.”
He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath with a stripe down the arms, black fleece shorts, and black shoes.
He also had a blue bike with him.
Since then, officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries, studied CCTV to identify his last known movements, and carried out search activity on land and in water.
Martyn’s bike was found on Tuesday, August 27 in fields near to the river Blackwater to the east of Church Lane.
Det Supt Scott Egerton said: “It has now been a week since Martyn went missing and with every day that passes our concerns for him grow.
“We have had a team of officers carrying out enquiries to identify Martyn’s last movements and find where he is, including going door-to-door, studying CCTV, carrying out phone work, and checks with his bank.
“Specialist search officers have been carrying out painstaking search activity in the fields and the river around where he was last seen.
“We remain open minded about what’s happened to Martyn and our aim is still to bring him home safely.”
Mr Egerton added: “I also want to thank the Essex Search and Rescue who been helping us with our search activity and continue to do so.”
Studying CCTV, officers know Martyn had been in Church Street at 8.25pm on the 24th and have been carrying out enquiries to establish his movements after this point.
Anyone who has CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell cameras in this area at around that time should check them and contact the police if they have any information.
Quote incident 324 of August 25.
Reports can be submitted via the online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about online reporting services.
In an emergency always call 999.
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