Police continue to search for Alice Byrne who has been missing since New Year’s Day

Police Scotland have appealed for information to help them in their search for Alice Byrne, a 28-year-old woman who went missing in Edinburgh on the morning of New Year’s Day.

She was last seen leaving a friend’s flat on Marlborough Street in Portobello at 10am on 1st January and has not had any known contact with friends or family since.

She is described as 5ft6 tall, white, of medium build, with short black hair, and a distinctive bat tattoo on her left wrist. When she was last seen, she was wearing an orange jacket, black top, black jeans and white trainers – she was also was carrying a black rucksack.

Officers at Craigmillar police station are urging anyone who has either seen Alice since 1st January or has any information on her whereabouts to contact 101 quoting reference 0647.

The last time Alice, also known as Alathea, was seen by her family was when she left home to meet friends for a Hogmanay beach party at around 2am on New Year’s Day.

She then left a friend’s flat near the promenade the following morning but has not been seen or heard from since.

Her family “extremely concerned” as this is “completely out of character for her”.

Friends and family have also flooded social media in the hope this will help her be found.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYYwnTeImIG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Concerned Portobello residents had also started a Find Alice Byrne Facebook group dedicated to raising awareness and sharing information that could be helpful in the search.

However, Police Scotland have asked locals to refrain from conducting searches themselves.

Instead they have asked anyone living in Portobello and surrounding areas to check their gardens and any outbuildings like sheds as well as any CCTV or dash cam footage from the past week.

Police have been seen conducting searches on the beach with their specialist marine unit, police dogs, and air support including drones.

In a press release, Inspector Keith Scott said: “It is out of character for Alice not to keep in contact with her family and friends. We are becoming increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and we are working to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well. Searches and enquiries have been ongoing since she was reported missing, and we are now asking the public for any assistance they can provide.

“I would urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible. I would appeal to Alice herself to contact us if she sees this appeal. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”

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