Search escalates for sex offender wanted over Somerset woman’s death

There have been approximately 100 unconfirmed sightings of Scatchard, predominantly in West Somerset, police said.

However, many of those turned out to be different people or were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

Supt Simpson said that searches “on land and from the air” were conducted once they learned of Scatchard’s disappearance.

“We have worked with expert teams to plan a series of key searches over the coming weeks,” she said.

“These will be concentrating on a mix of previously covered areas, plus some more remote parts where access would be difficult or impossible without specialist training and equipment.

“We are conscious that after three months of no confirmed sightings or proof of life, that crucial clues as to what has happened to Scatchard may be found in a more inaccessible location, especially if he has come to harm, which a member of the public or previous searches would not ordinarily come across.”