The family of a 59-year-old woman living with dementia have made an urgent appeal for help finding her after she went missing from her home in Thornton Heath.
Jackie, 59, has been missing from her Thornton Heath home since Saturday (7 November) at around 2.30am. Police are carrying out extensive searches for her as they are “increasingly concerned” for her welfare.
She is described as a black woman, around 5ft 4ins tall, with a slim build and black dreadlocks. She may be wearing a black coat and black leopard print trainers.
A family member has said: “If you live anywhere in London, then please search for her. She may appear tearful, exhausted or confused as she would likely have been trying to find her way home for over 30 hours. If you work on the night buses, especially any routes that pass through Holborn, Camberwell, Waterloo, Croydon or Bromley, then please keep an eye out for her.”
Detective Inspector Terry Lund said: “We are increasingly concerned for Jackie’s welfare and are carrying out extensive enquiries to find her. I would urge anyone who has seen Jackie since the early hours of Saturday morning, or who thinks they may have information about where she is, to get in touch with us immediately. I would also ask local residents, businesses and motorists in the Thornton Heath area to check any doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage which may help us identify where Jackie has gone.”
Anyone who has seen Jackie or has information is asked to call police on 999, quoting reference CAD 3242/07NOV26. The charity Missing People can also be contacted on 116 000.
People living with dementia can become disoriented and may struggle to find their way home, even in areas they know well. If you see someone who appears lost, confused or distressed, approaching them calmly and offering help — or calling the police — can make a real difference.
Thornton Heath is a busy residential area in the London Borough of Croydon, served by frequent bus routes and Thornton Heath station. The appeal comes days after a dog was rescued from a house fire in Croydon, and as Croydon marked ten years since the Sandilands tram crash with a memorial service in New Addington.
