A TOP cop tasked with finding missing Margaret Fleming has said she may have had friends that those closest to her are not aware of.

Glasgow Times:

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone, above, said that his team of investigators are keeping an open mind over what happened to the 36-year-old who was last seen in 1999.

He announced the extensive investigative work that Police Scotland has carried out into the disappearance as the six month anniversary of her being reported missing approaches.

He said: "Whilst we are keeping an open mind - her carers state that Margaret has a private side to her life, possibly having friends that they are not aware of - we cannot rule out the possibility that she has come to harm in some way.

"By this I mean that she could have had an accident, possibly wanted to be missing or even something more sinister."

Margaret was reported missing six months by her carers from her home in Inverkip.

Glasgow Times:

Since then, specialist search teams have been carefully sifting through the house where Margaret is believed to live with her two carers to find any documentation, clothing and personal items that could assist in finding her. Meanwhile, support from expert resources has been utilised including air support, dive and marine unit, dog unit and search specialists, who have been combing the Inverkip and wider Inverclyde area to find any trace of her.

Over the last few months, a team of uniformed officers and detectives have been working to piece together Margaret’s background history and movements over the years to find out more about her. This includes tracing and engaging with family members, friends, education authorities, employers and any contacts through health, revenue and welfare.

Glasgow Times:

The search of the five-bedroom house at Main Road, Inverkip, began in November 2016 and extended into the garden, where excavation work was carried out to over half an acre of land by forensic experts.

Apart from her carers, the last independent sighting of Margaret was on December 17,1999 at a family gathering.

Glasgow Times:

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone said: "There have been extensive enquiries over the last six months as we try to piece together Margaret's life. A team of dedicated officers have been sifting through thousands of items, paperwork, documents, and articles taken from the house. We’ve been in contact with around 1200 individuals and organisations who may have had contact with Margaret in an effort to trace her and over 200 have still to get back to us so we have some lines of enquiry still to follow up.

"Over the course of the six months, we've taken over 500 witness statements from people. The search we've carried out in the house and the grounds extended over 500 meters of the house, into nearby water and woodland. The search has now finished but was intensive and methodical and the area searched in the garden alone was around half a hectare, which is a huge area."

He added: “We're continuing our enquiries within her family and friends, both in Scotland and overseas, to try to glean any more information that means we can trace her safe and well.

"We remain in contact with Margaret's mother, who understandably is shocked and distressed at her disappearance. Her carers have been assisting us with our enquiries, and the strength of feeling and support from local residents in the Inverkip area has been welcomed.

"A key focus for me is to speak to anyone who may have been in the house in Inverkip. Whether you have taken a delivery there, cold-called for a charity, picked anyone up in a taxi or visited for social reasons, I need you to get in touch with us.

“Margaret is still being considered a missing person and I would reiterate my appeal to anyone who may have known Margaret from 1999 until now, and knew she had been living at the house in Inverkip to get in touch. The key to finding Margaret is through people coming forward with information about her.”

Margaret is described as around 5ft 5ins in height, with collar length black hair and brown eyes. She is described as being of heavy build. When last seen, she was wearing a green coloured tartan fleece or jumper, dark coloured jeans or trousers, wearing 'Karrimor' type boots which were dark in colour. She also had a satchel-type handbag. Margaret is also believed to have learning difficulties.