North Shields house to be searched

Police investigating the disappearance of a man more than 20 years ago are to search an address he visited on the night he vanished.

Robert Scott Clive, known as Scott, was last seen on 10 October 2002 following a night out in North Shields, North Tyneside, where he had moved to from Stranraer, Scotland, a few months earlier.

A murder investigation was launched despite no body being found.

Northumbria Police said officers would carry out searches at a property in North Shields’ Coronation Street, alongside door-to-door enquiries.

The current occupant, who moved in after 2002, has been found alternative accommodation, the force said.

Mr Clive, who lived in Prudhoe Terrace and worked as a labourer, was 30 at the time of his disappearance.

Officers say they have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and spoken to several people in their efforts to piece together his movements.

Last June, a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Unconfirmed sightings in the early hours of 11 October 2002 placed a man matching Mr Clive’s description near the banks of the River Tyne.

His mother, Tricia Clive, speaking last year, said the family were “still in limbo” as they did not believe he fell into the river.

Det Insp Mark Atherton, who is leading the case, said he was determined to provide the family “with the answers they deserve”.

“After a review of the information we have, we are refocusing our efforts in the Coronation Street area and an address we know he visited on the night he went missing.

“We are grateful to the current occupant of that premises for their cooperation, and that of the wider community as we conduct our enquiries.

“We are also asking anyone who lived in Coronation Street at the time to get in touch as they may have relevant information without even realising.”