Police in Devon are searching for a teenage boy who they suspect may have gone into a river. Taylor Charlton, a 14-year-old who was last seen in Barnstaple on May 8, is the subject of extensive search efforts in the area. The focus of the search has shifted to the River Taw after a pair of shoes believed to be Taylor’s were discovered on the riverbank between Sticklepath and Bickington on May 13 and 14.

Local residents have joined search teams in combing the area, utilizing drones, search dogs, and a police helicopter to aid in the search. Devon and Cornwall Police have deployed a sonar-equipped boat and divers to search the river, with assistance from HM Coastguard due to challenging tidal conditions in the Taw estuary.

Despite the thorough search efforts, Taylor has not been found yet, leading authorities to believe he may have entered the river. Sector Inspector Andy Wills expressed sympathy for Taylor’s family and assured the public that the investigation remains active. The discovery of Taylor’s shoes on the riverbank, found 480m apart, is being investigated, with the circumstances surrounding their presence in the water still unclear.

Taylor was last seen on CCTV walking towards the river at a Tesco Extra car park on the evening of May 8. He was reported missing the following day. Inspector Wills emphasized the ongoing efforts of detectives to gather information and vowed to continue searching for answers to bring closure to Taylor’s loved ones. The community’s support has been acknowledged, with a plea for anyone with information to come forward by contacting the police. If you have any information, please call 999 and quote reference number 50260117084.