Boothstown: Police teams and mountain rescue resume search for man

Peter Baglin was last seen on the evening of Wednesday December 28, 2022.

His wife, Michelle, reported him missing when he did not return home from a walk that took him down the towpath of the Bridgewater Canal.

His belongings, which included a hat, phone, and headphones, were found there the following morning.

Since then, Greater Manchester Police and underwater divers have carried out extensive searches of the Bridgewater Canal, between the Moorings and Astley Point, and mountain rescue has also combed the adjoining fields and woodland areas.

They also deployed a drone, which is fitted with infrared and is able to access places that people cannot. 

There was also a CCTV and doorbell footage trawl carried out, and officers continue to investigate every potential sighting

Today, Thursday March 2, has seen the POLSA (Police Search Advisors) team return to the canal to carry out a further search, together with mountain rescue, who are searching the surrounding area and the underwater dive team.

The drone has also been re-deployed.

Peter Baglin (Image: GMP)

These searches will continue over the next couple of days for the man from Boothstown.

Senior Investigating Officer Michael Sharples from Salford CID said: "There is no evidence to suggest the whereabouts of Peter at this time, so this search is just one line of enquiry that we are following. 

"Today we are carrying out another search of the canal, where we believe Peter was last seen, as well as the surrounding fields and wooded areas.

"At the time Peter went missing, there were extremely low temperatures and not much boat traffic on the water. This part of the canal is very unique and as such, changes in temperature and the fact the season is changing, can impact on how the water behaves.

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"Due to this, we have decided to carry out the search again. We will also have the drone back in the air, which is used to access areas that are harder to reach on foot. 

"We, and specialist officers from GMP, continue to work closely with Peter's wife, Michelle, and the family and we are grateful to the multi-agency response that we have received over the last few weeks.  

"Not only will we be carrying out these searches, but we will be looking for even more CCTV and ring doorbell footage. We continue to follow up on every lead given to us and even if you think you can’t help, we urge you to take another look at your footage, just to be sure.

"If you have any information, you can call 101 or use the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk. You can also provide information anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111."