Concern for missing Ben Clarkson

Police searching missing Ben Clarkson have thanked one man for coming forward, but still need to trace another potential witness.

The 18-year-old from York confirmed he spoke with Ben and saw him outside a club at 3am. He confirmed he is not the man seen walking along Layerthorpe at the same time as Ben.

Ben, 22, has not been seen since March 2.

The person officers are asking to come forward is a white man, wearing a light coloured jacket with dark trousers and shoes.

He walked along Stonebow, towards the Foss Islands Road junction, on the opposite side of the road to Ben. A short time later, he took the same route as Ben when they walk past National Windscreens, Layerthorpe.

Police searching for missing York man Ben Clarkson say they have made contact with the man seen on CCTV talking to Mr Clarkson in a nightclub on the night he disappeared.

Ben, 22, has not been seen since 3.40am on Sunday 2 March in the Layerthorpe area of York.

The 18-year-old came forward after his image was released on Monday March 11 to confirm he was the man seen in the CCTV footage.

He also confirmed he is not the man who was seen walking with Ben along Layerthorpe in the city.

Officers would still like to speak with another man, who is described as white, wearing a light-coloured jacket with dark trousers and shoes.

He walked along Stonebow, towards the Foss Islands Road junction, on the opposite side of the road to Ben. A short time later, he took the same route as Ben when they walk past National Windscreens, Layerthorpe.

Inspector Neil Drummond, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “If you could be the man who walked along Layerthorpe at the same time as Ben, I ask you to get in touch with us as soon as possible as I believe you will have noticed Ben walking across the street from you.”

Anyone with any information about the disappearance should contact North Yorkshire Police

The girlfriend of missing 22-year-old, Ben Clarkson, has asked for the men pictured in newly-released CCTV pictures to come forward.

She insists they're not in any trouble, but could have vital information in the search for Ben, who hasn't been seen since a night out with friends on March 2.

Police in York have release two images of men they want to speak to in connection with the disappearance of Ben Clarkson.

The 22-year-old,who was last seen in Layerthorpe at 3.40am on Sunday 2 March, has now been missing for five days.

The first person officers are asking to come forward is a white man, wearing a light coloured jacket with dark trousers and shoes.

He walked along Stonebow, heading towards the junction with Foss Islands Road, on the opposite side of the road to Ben.

A short time later, this person takes the same route as Ben as they walk past National Windscreens, Layerthorpe.

The second man officers are asking to come forward, spoke to Ben in the smoking area of Fibbers a short time before he left the club.

He is white, with short dark hair. He was wearing a red checked shirt, fastened at the collar, a white t-shirt and dark trousers.

Officers carrying out searches along the route, and the surrounding area, Ben is believed to have taken on Sunday, have now been completed.

Further searches of the River Foss, in the Heworth Green area, will recommence on Saturday, 8 March.

Ben was last seen wearing dark skinny jeans, a grey t-shirt with an Eiffel Tower logo on the front and dark pumps with white trim and white toe caps.

Anyone who knows of Ben Clarkson's whereabouts should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass the details to the Force Control Room.

Please quote reference number 12140033950.

The Labour MP for York Central, Hugh Bayley, has today called for safety improvements around the popular rivers of York.He spoke out after the body of student Megan Roberts, 20, was found in the River Ouse - and as police continue to search for Ben Clarkson, 22, in the adjoining River Foss.

Underwater divers have resumed their search today for a man who went missing after a night out with friends in York.

22 year old Ben Clarkson was last seen in the early hours of Sunday. Police teams are concentrating their efforts on a stretch of the River Foss.

A specially trained scent dog has been brought in to assist the investigation today.

Police are appealing directly to a missing 22-year-old man from York.

Ben Clarkson was last seen at 3.40am on March 2, in Layerthorpe, close to the junction of James Street.

When Ben was last seen he was wearing dark skinny jeans, a grey t-shirt with an Eiifel Tower logo on the front and dark pumps with white trim and white toe caps.

There has been a number of unconfirmed reported sightings of Ben in the city.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101.

Police in York are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing 22-year-old man from the city.

Ben Clarkson was last seen at 3.30am on March 2, outside Fibbers Nightclub, Stonebow.

Police have searched Ben’s route home and examined CCTV in York.

A team from the regional underwater search unit are carrying out searches of the River Foss, between the Iron Bridge, Huntington Road and the Foss Basin.

Officers are extremely concerned for Ben’s welfare.

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101

The River Ouse Safety Group have issues a statement following the death of Megan Roberts and river searches for Ben Clarkson who's been missing since the weekend.

• The group comprises:City of York Council
• North Yorkshire Police
• North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
• Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
• Canal & River Trust
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• York Boat
• York Boat Rescue

Police, searching for missing Ben Clarkson in York are still treating his disappearance as a missing persons inquiry.

Ben hasn't been seen since he left the Fibbers nightclub in the city centre in the early hours of Sunday.

The search, being carried out by the Yorkshire and the Humber Underwater unit comes just 2 days after the body of Megan Roberts was discovered nearby in the River Ouse almost 6 weeks after her disappearance.

At a press conference this lunchtime Inspector Jo Brooksbank from North Yorkshire Police urged Ben to get in touch with them.