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Police appeal directly to missing DJ Derek

By Louis Emanuel  Monday Aug 10, 2015


Police are appealing directly to DJ Derek in the latest attempt to trace the missing pensioner who was last seen one month ago.

Derek Morris went missing on July 10 after a night drinking at the Commercial Rooms in Corn Street and the Criterion in Ashley Road.

The 73-year-old was last seen on CCTV at 1.13am heading out of the St Paul’s pub towards his home, a five minute’s walk away.

His flat, where he lived alone, was searched by forensics last week as police and the Find DJ Derek campaign stepped up efforts to locate the Bristol legend.

Police say they have “credible” sightings of Derek in Yate, Thornbury and Cribbs Causeway since July 10, but his family have already said they are “losing hope” that he is still alive.

 

New portrait of DJ Derek by Bizzy in the Bearpit #finddjderek

A photo posted by Anthony Ward (@instanth0ny) on

Clare Hargreaves, acting detective inspector, said: “Derek Serpell-Morris, known to many as DJ Derek, has now been missing for a month.

“Firstly, I would like to appeal directly to Derek to make contact with your family or call us now on 101 if you can.

“The reaction to your disappearance has been felt nationwide and so many people just want to know you are ok.

“Secondly, I want to renew our appeal for information from members of the public who may have had contact with or seen Derek in the last month.

“Since Derek was reported missing on Thursday July 23, we’ve conducted a thorough and wide-spread search investigation.

“This has involved detailed CCTV examinations, house to house enquiries and physical searches.

“We have also had a large number of reported sightings following our public appeal and we are continuing to work through all of these.”

 

The Find DJ Derek campaign has printed hundreds of posters, organised search parties and held fundraising gigss.

Derek is known to have visited every Weatherspoons in the country, and subsequently each pub has been sent a picture of him with a description.

He is also known to have traveled on every National Express route in the country, and police say they are looking into routes to Yate.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference number MP3388/15.

Police are also asking people using social media to assist with the search by using #FindDJDerek.

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