The PSNI has “made an offer of assistance to police in Spain” as officers there continue to investigate the disappearance of John Hardy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PSNI said they “will assist with any local enquiries as requested” by Spanish investigators.
John Hardy, also known as John George, travelled to Spain three weeks ago to visit friends. He was last in touch with his family on December 14 when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm.
The alarm was raised on December 18 as the 37-year-old missed his flight home to spend Christmas with his kids. His mobile phone has been off since December 14, prompting his family to travel to the holiday hotspot in search of him.
In their statement on New Year’s Eve, the PSNI said: “Following a report to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Wednesday, 18th December that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was missing the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been liaising closely with the missing man’s family and other law enforcement agencies.
“Dedicated Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to provide support to the family at this time. While the investigation must be progressed by Spanish police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have made an offer of assistance to police in Spain and will assist with any local enquiries as requested by them.”
Police have indicated that the PSNI “has no jurisdiction over the investigation in Spain” and that any assistance they can offer “is confined to Northern Ireland at this time and does not involve activity in Spain”.
Searches are continuing in the Alicante area to try and trace his steps with the hopes of recovering his body, with John’s family visiting the property he was last seen in the Orihuela area over the weekend. Belfast Live has contacted police in Spain for an update on their investigation.
English (United States) ·