News
Police step up operation to find missing grandad as underwater search returns to Bridgewater Canal
They have boosted their efforts to find him
Greater Manchester Police have said they are stepping up their search to find the missing grandad from Salford, Peter Baglin.
An underwater search has returned to the Bridgewater Canal in an increase in effort to try and find Peter, 55. He has been missing since Wednesday December 28th 2022 when he left his home to go for a walk in the evening, but never came back.
His wife Michelle reported him missing when he did not return home from his walk. Her last contact with Peter was on the phone where he told her he was clearing his head, he was coming home soon and that he loved her.
Peter’s hat, phone, keys, headphones and bank card were found discarded down the canal bank of the towpath the following day. The last recording of him was on CCTV at a Texaco garage along the East Lancashire Road where he purchased a small bottle of whiskey.
Since then, police and underwater divers have carried out extensive searches of the canal, between the Moorings and Astley Point, with mountain rescue combing the adjoining fields and woodland areas. They have also deployed an infrared drone to scour the area, which is able to reach difficult areas.
Officers say they have trawled through CCTV and doorbell footage to investigate every potential sighting of Peter. Michelle who works at Salford Royal hospital alongside her husband, has also gathered the help of family, friends and strangers — made up of over 200 people — to organise several searches of her own along the Bridgewater Canal.
The force made the announcement they will be upping their efforts on their social media page on Thursday March 2nd. Police Search Advisors return to the canal to carry out a further search, together with mountain rescue, who are searching the surrounding area and the underwater dive team.
Senior Investigating Officer Michael Sharples from Salford CID said: “There is no evidence to suggest the whereabouts of Peter at this time, so this search is just one line of enquiry that we are following. Today we are carrying out another search of the canal, where we believe Peter was last seen, as well as the surrounding fields and wooded areas.
“At the time Peter went missing, there were extremely low temperatures and not much boat traffic on the water. This part of the canal is very unique and as such, changes in temperature and the fact the season is changing, can impact on how the water behaves.
“Due to this, we have decided to carry out the search again. We will also have the drone back in the air, which is used to access areas that are harder to reach on foot. We, and specialist officers from GMP, continue to work closely with Peter’s wife, Michelle, and the family and we are grateful to the multi-agency response that we have received over the last few weeks.
“Not only will we be carrying out these searches, but we will be looking for even more CCTV and ring doorbell footage. We continue to follow up on every lead given to us and even if you think you can’t help, we urge you to take another look at your footage, just to be sure.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, or use the Live Chat function Greater Manchester Police’s Website. People can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.