Police Relaunch Missing Person's Appeal

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Missing pensioner was a frequent visitor to Shepherd's Bush

Police have relaunched an appeal for information about a man who has been missing for eight years and who was a frequent visitor to Shepherd's Bush.

Pensioner Don Banfield went missing from his Wealdstone home on 13 May 2001.

Now, police are excavating his garden to discover whether the then-63-year-old was murdered and buried there.

Banfield's former home has been sealed off by police as they carry out an "extensive forensic search" of the house and garden in what could turn from a missing person case into a murder case.

Trinidad-born Banfield is 5ft 6in tall, has brown eyes and receding grey hair and speaks with a distinctive West Indian accent.

He also has a heart tattoo on his left hand and is a heavy smoker.

The retired betting shop owner was a frequent visitor to west London and particularly Shepherd's Bush.

Anyone with information is asked to call the confidential National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700 700.

October 8, 2009