River searched as investigation continues to find missing woman Lorraine Ridout

South Wales Police is continuing its investigation into the whereabouts of Lorraine Ridout aged 57 from Gabalfa, who has been missing since around 7pm on January 31. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This afternoon, police dogs are due to resume searches in and around the Gabalfa area. Since Lorraine was reported missing local officers have carried out extensive enquiries which include　regularly searching and patrolling the Taff Trail area with colleagues from the mounted section, air support and Specialist Search. In addition divers searched a section of the River Taff on Friday and specialist sonar equipment was used in the river over the weekend.
Sergeant Tony Apsey, from Fairwater Police Station, said: “Although Lorraine lives close to the River Taff, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that she has entered the river. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We know that this was something concerning the family and as a result the South Wales Police Specialist Search and Rescue Team dived a section of the River Taff where the family believe Lorraine might be.
“That search was negative and further land searches are continuing today. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are keeping an open mind about what has happened to Lorraine and finding her is still very much a priority for South Wales Police.” Lorraine was last seen at the Premier Shop on Gabalfa Avenue and there have been no confirmed sightings since. Lorraine is very-well known in the local community and this continues to be a very worrying time for her family and friends. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

South Wales Police wishes to appeal for information but also reassure the community that officers have been, and will continue to do, everything possible to find Lorraine. Since Lorraine was reported missing officers have carried out extensive enquiries which include: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

House to house
Speaking with Lorraine’s family, friends and people who know her.
Checking hostels, night shelters and hospitals.
Provided photos of Lorraine to rail and bus companies.
A detailed examination of CCTV in areas Lorraine is known to frequent
The distribution of, with the help of the community, more than 1000 appeal posters kindly produced by the charity Missing People ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone with information is asked to please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number 1600036372. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​