Hi-tech equipment brought in to search for missing Southampton man

Officers are using hi-tech underwater cameras to try and find Paul Tillyer who vanished on December 28 after making his way to his boat.

Detectives leading the missing person’s inquiry are also talking with colleagues at Thames Valley over the possibility of using police divers to search the water.

Mr Tillyer, 64, was last seen as he walked towards Southampton’s Town Quay where he lived on his boat, the Lady of Bali.

A bag of shopping he was carrying was later found on the side of the boat.

Yesterday specialist officers from Hampshire police’s marine unit spent the day at the marina using a camera to search under the water.

The hi-tech machinery, known as a remotely-operated vessel (ROV), is like a shoebox-sized submarine which has the capability to detect humans as well as other objects like mines, bombs and drugs.

The extensive searches took place as Mr Tillyer’s family made a desperate appeal for help to find him.

Daughter Georgia Watts told how they were “desperate for answers” and the family – in particular Mr Tillyer’s three grandchildren – felt helpless.

Son Matt said: “It’s a nightmare – the not knowing is the worst thing.”

A former Southampton police officer, Mr Tillyer has lived in the city all his life and has a very large network of friends who have been searching local haunts in the hope of finding him.

He later owned the garage Ideal Cars in Paynes Road.

On the day he vanished, Mr Tillyer was wearing a blue long-sleeved top, blue jeans, white footwear and was carryning a coat over his arm and an orange carrier bag.

Earlier he had been at Margheritas restaurant and bar in Town Quay, where it is believed he was last seen alive.

Detective inspector Gary Towse, from Shirley CID, has urged boat owners who think they may have seen or heard anything in the area of Town Quay that evening to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.