Search under way in west Cheltenham after man goes missing
Police have launched an urgent appeal to trace a 24-year-old man, known as Chris, who was last seen in the Hesters Way area of Cheltenham at around 5.30pm on Sunday 19 July. Gloucestershire Constabulary say he is believed to have left an address in the neighbourhood on foot shortly after that time and officers are now conducting searches to find him.
Concerns have been raised for his welfare and the force is asking the public to help by sharing information quickly. Hesters Way, in the west of the town, is a busy residential area with arterial routes and local shops, meaning many residents and passers-by may have been in the vicinity around the time he was last seen.
Description and what to look for
Police have provided a clear description to help the public identify the missing man. Officers say he is 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, with short, dark blonde hair and a long fringe. He may be wearing glasses. He is believed to be dressed in dark clothing, including a dark blue T-shirt, and carrying a black rucksack.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 |
| Height | 5ft 9ins |
| Build | Slim |
| Hair | Short, dark blonde, long fringe |
| Glasses | May be wearing |
| Clothing | Dark clothing, dark blue T-shirt |
| Bag | Black rucksack |
| Last seen | Hesters Way, Cheltenham, around 5.30pm, Sun 19 July |
How to report information
Anyone who believes they have seen Chris, or who has details about where he might be, is urged to contact the police without delay. Please use the occurrence number 53260061107 when providing information.
- If you have information about his possible whereabouts, call 101 and quote 53260061107.
- If you can see him at the time of calling or there is an immediate concern for safety, dial 999 and ask for police.
Residents in and around Hesters Way and adjoining streets may wish to consider whether they were in the area around late afternoon and early evening on Sunday, and to think back over any doorbell cameras, CCTV or dashcam footage that could have captured someone matching the description. Bus passengers and drivers using local routes at that time could also review any recordings if available.
Local context and community support
With searches under way this evening, the immediate priority is to establish Chris’s movements after he was last seen in Hesters Way. The area includes a network of residential lanes, green spaces and community facilities, and even small details from the public can help officers narrow down timings and routes. Simple observations—such as noticing someone carrying a black rucksack or wearing a dark blue T-shirt—can provide a crucial lead when cross-referenced with other sightings.
In similar cases, timely public assistance often makes a significant difference. People who were out walking, visiting local shops or returning from work on Sunday early evening may hold the missing piece of information. If you are unsure whether what you saw is relevant, police advise that it is better to share the detail and let officers assess its value alongside other reports.
What happens next
Officers will continue to follow up potential sightings and review lines of enquiry as new information comes in. The force has asked for continued vigilance from the public while the search continues, and for information to be passed through the official contact numbers so it can be logged promptly using the occurrence number 53260061107.
InfoRadar will provide updates as soon as further details are released by Gloucestershire Constabulary. For now, the key request from officers is clear: if you have seen someone matching the description in or around Hesters Way from 5.30pm on Sunday, or if you know where Chris is now, please get in touch immediately.
