Helicopters and lifeboats launched as part of search and rescue operation for missing Gareth Jones

Helicopters and lifeboats are launched as part of major search and rescue operation as man, 69, and his dog are feared missing in Hove

  • Gareth Jones was last seen outside a fishmonger in Hove with his pet cockapoo 
  • Helicopters and lifeboats were launched and scoured shoreline, say witnesses
  • Police asks anyone who sees Mr Jones, 69, to call 999 quoting serial 928 of 16/01

Police have launched a major search for a missing 69-year-old man who was feared missing with his pet dog last night.

Gareth Jones from Hove, West Sussex, was last seen yesterday at about 1pm at fishmonger Fish, in Basin Road South, Portslade, with his brown cockapoo.

Helicopters and lifeboats were launched as part of the major search and rescue operation along the seafront between 11pm and midnight.

Gareth Jones has been declared missing as a major search and rescue operation was launched by Sussex Police

Teams were reported searching the coastline in Hove, West Sussex tonight

Teams were reported searching the coastline in Hove, West Sussex tonight

A helicopter searched overhead while ground teams looked along the shoreline

A helicopter searched overhead while ground teams looked along the shoreline

Sussex police said the 69-year-old had not been seen since 1pm Saturday outside a fishmonger

Sussex police said the 69-year-old had not been seen since 1pm Saturday outside a fishmonger

Eyewitnesses described seeing rescue teams scouring the shoreline while other teams searched on the ground.

Sussex Police described him as white, about 5ft 10in tall, bald and of medium build.

He was last seen wearing a light blue puffer coat, grey tracksuit bottoms with red stripes down the legs and a navy beanie.

A spokesman for the force said: ‘Gareth is white, approximately 5′ 10’, of medium build and bald.

He was last seen with his pet cockapoo who had a red harness on when the pair were last seen

He was last seen with his pet cockapoo who had a red harness on when the pair were last seen

‘He is wearing a light blue puffer coat, grey tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the legs and a navy beanie hat. His dog is likely to be wearing a red harness.

‘Anyone who sees Gareth or who has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting serial 928 of 16/01.’

The search comes as the Met Office said temperatures currently feel like 3C. 

They warned it will become chilly under developing clear spells, with a slight rural frost and fog patches possible and minimum temperatures of -2C.