Peter Baglin: Specialist search team and mountain rescue return to search for missing man

Rescue teams have returned to Bridgewater Canal to search for missing Boothstown man, Peter Baglin.

The search comes after Mr Baglin went missing from the area on 28 December, after walking along the Bridgewater Canal.

His wife, Michelle, reported him missing when he didn’t return home. His belongings, which included a hat, phone and headphones, were found there the morning of 29 December 2022.

Today (Thursday 2 March), Police Search Advisors (POLSA), mountain rescue, underwater dive team and drones have been re-deployed in the canal and surrounding area.

These searches will continue over the next couple of days.

This comes after search teams have already carried out ‘extensive’ searches, according to police.

Senior Investigating Officer Michael Sharples from Salford CID said: “here 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.

“If you have any information, you can call 101 or use the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk. You can also provide information anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”