Missing 73-year-old Hartlepool man John Rattigan found after police appeal reached 100,000 people

Cleveland Police had issued an urgent appeal for dash cam and private CCTV footage to assist officers in their search to finding missing Mr Rattigan, from Hartlepool.

Officers had evidence to suggest he had been last seen on the morning of Friday, January 24 in the town and had become extremely concerned for his welfare.

But now the force has confirmed that Mr Rattigan has now been found and thanked the public for their support in sharing their appeal to help find him.

Sharing the good news on the force Facebook page, a Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Missing John Rattigan, 73, has now been located.

“Thank you to the hundreds of people who shared our appeal, we reached well over 100,000 people with our posts.”