Jay Slater 'armchair detectives' told to stop spouting 'rubbish'

A former senior Merseyside Police officer has urged "armchair detectives" to stop spouting conspiracy theories about the whereabouts of missing teenager Jay Slater.

Sue Sim, a former South Sefton area commander who went on to become the top officer in Northumbria, said: "Social media can be an extremely useful tool but in this instance it's very damaging to this enquiry." Jay, 19, disappeared in Tenerife 10 days ago but the Guardia Civil's search and rescue teams are yet to find any trace of him.

The apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had enjoyed a three-day music festival before leaving by car with two British men he befriended on a night out. He returned to their Airbnb in a rural area just outside Masca village and vanished the following morning on Monday, June 17.

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He was last heard from by his friend Lucy Mae Law, who claims Jay called her on the morning he went missing and said he was disoriented, needed water, and that his phone was only 1% charged. Jay's disappearance has sparked significant interest in both UK and Europe with many speculating about his whereabouts and what might have happened.

But speaking on a Sky podcast 'What could have happened to Jay Slater,' Ms Sims, who led the search for Raoul Moat when chief constable in Northumbria, said: "The worst thing that people can do sitting at home in their armchairs is to speculate as to what might have happened. They're has been no suggestion of crime happening in this instance and at this time...

"I would appeal for people [not to speculate]. The Guardia Civil and the mountain rescue team are all trained in this area of work. To actually go along as an upgraded armchair detective will not help Jay. If you have any intelligence, phone your local police who will get it out to the Guardia Civil. Don't just go and trample over potential evidential trails."

When asked on the podcast about conspiracy theories involving the search, the former officer added: "I think social media can be an extremely useful tool but in this instance it's very damaging to this enquiry. I would appeal to Jay's mum and his friends and family to not read this rubbish that is being bandied about, about your son and friend.

"Let the police do their job. And for people who have nothing better to do than put conspiracy theories onto social media, when a young man is missing, shame on you. It's absolutely appalling behaviour."

Jay's mum Debbie Duncan, who has said she is "at her wits end", and Rachel Harg - the mum of his best friend and admin of the Find Jay Slater Facebook group - have previously hit out at the trolling, claiming it has increased their suffering. A woman, who has referred to herself Jay's ex-girlfriend, has also condemned the spread of harmful rumours by "online detectives" and implored those hiding behind their screens to stop.

A report by Sky News yesterday said police officers had honed into specific areas. They added they were examining the area using the help of drones because the areas were difficult to reach on foot. The last person to see Mr Slater was Masca resident Ofelia Medina Hernandez who spoke to the teenager on Monday 17 June. Ms Hernandez said she told him a bus was due at 10am as he seemingly hoped to get back to his accommodation.

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