Mackenzie Crook appeals for dashcam footage in hunt for missing sister-in-law

The actor has been combing woodland in West Sussex and is 'determined' in his search for Laurel Aldridge.

Watch: Mackenzie Crook hopes dashcam footage could help find his missing sister-in-law

Mackenzie Crook has revealed police hope dashcam footage could help find his missing sister-in-law.

The Office star and his family have been searching woodland in West Sussex after his wife's elder sister Laurel Aldridge, 62, was reported missing from her home in Walberton, near Arundel on Tuesday 14 February. Police believe she may have crossed a busy road and been caught on camera.

Crook told Good Morning Britain, live from Slindon cricket ground where Aldridge was last sighted: “She was diagnosed with cancer last year and she missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that’s what has triggered some sort of crisis in her and she’s gone off for a long walk somewhere… we are really clutching at straws now after a week.”

Read more: Mackenzie Crook appeals to public to help find sister-in-law

He added: “Now we are also asking people to check dashcam [footage] because there are specific roads the police think she may have crossed in that time.”

Mackenzie Crook has asked for dashcam footage to hel find his missing sister-in-law. (Getty Images)
Mackenzie Crook has asked for dashcam footage to help find his missing sister-in-law. (Getty Images)

The star of the Pirates of the Caribbean films and BBC sitcom Detectorists said his family had united in their search for Aldridge, who is described as being around 5ft 4in with grey/blonde highlighted hair and sometimes wears glasses.

Crook, 51, said: “She left the house with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, no keys, money, phone, and she’s not been seen since.

Laurel Aldridge has been missing in the Arundel area since 14 Februrary. (West Sussex Police)
Laurel Aldridge has been missing in the Arundel area since 14 Februrary. (West Sussex Police)

“We have been combing the woodlands for a week now, we can only think she has hopefully taken shelter in a back garden, in a shed, in an outhouse, that’s what we’re hoping.

“We are asking people to check all of those places in their garden even if they’ve done it before to go back and check again.

“We’ve got a strong suspicion that she is in the local area but that’s just a hunch we’re going on. We can’t imagine that she has gone very far afield.”

Laurel Aldridge was last sighted near Slindon cricket ground wearing a turquoise fleece and grey puffer jacket. (West Sussex Police)
Laurel Aldridge was last sighted near Slindon cricket ground wearing a turquoise fleece and grey puffer jacket. (West Sussex Police)

Aldridge was last seen wearing a turquoise fleece, a maroon tartan scarf and brown hat. She also had a grey puffer jacket with her which she is likely to have been wearing.

Crook said of his family: “They’ve all gathered together and they are just driven to try and get Laurel back safely. At the moment everyone is containing their emotions, I’m sure the time will come for that later but right now everyone is very determined and driven."

The Worzel Gummidge star added the family were co-ordinating their own search with Sussex Police adding that they have been “brilliant” in their efforts, sending helicopters during the day and night.

Mackenzie Crook attends the
Mackenzie Crook said his family are 'determined and driven' in their search for Laurel Aldridge. (Getty Images)

He said: “The police who are doing everything they can, we are very grateful to them.”

Read more: The Office stars 20 years on: Where are they now?

Drivers are asked to report to Sussex Police online or call 101 if they see someone who matches her description on their dashcam footage.