Hunt continues on 15-year-old boy
A large-scale police hunt was continuing today to find a 15-year-old boy with learning disabilities who is missing from his Black Country home.
Concerns are growing for the safety of Saleem Bashir, who left his home on Franchise Street, Wednesbury, sometime on Thursday lunchtime.
Police today said they wanted to speak to a group of men who were playing football in nearby Kings Hill Park. They are believed to have had contact with the teenager.
Last night, police officers were scouring bushes and trees around the park for clues as to the whereabouts of the youngster, who attends Castle Business and Enterprise College in Walsall. Officers were also searching sheds and outhouses at the Black Horse Allotments, in Old Park Road, near to Saleem's home.
Door-to-door inquiries were also taking place in the area around Franchise Street, while earlier in the day, a police helicopter and sniffer dogs were used.
Sgt John Price said: "There was a group of lads playing football in the park and we do know Saleem had some contact with them but at the moment we do not know the nature of this contact. We would like to get in touch with them to see if they have any information about Saleem or to see which direction he may have been headed.
"They were around 16 to 17-years-old and were all wearing football tops. They were playing with a light blue Adidas football."
Chief Supt Steve Dugmore, commander for West Bromwich, said police were "extremely concerned" for Saleem's welfare. It is out of character for him to leave unannounced and this is the first time he has been missing," he said.
Saleem is Asian, 4ft 11ins tall, of slim build and has black cropped hair and a local accent.
He was last seen wearing a black coat, black jogging bottoms with a bleach stain on the front, a dark coloured T-shirt and white Diadora trainers.
Neighbours today expressed their shock at the youngster's disappearance.
Chris Barker, landlady of the nearby Black Horse pub, in Old Park Road, said: "It's terrible, police have been coming and going around here since Thursday night.
"My husband Fred told me someone came into the pub on Thursday night with a picture of him asking if anyone had seen him. I hope they find him soon."
Anyone with information is urged to call West Bromwich police station on 0845 113 5000.
