Search resumes for missing woman

A search has resumed in Co Antrim for missing woman Chloe Mitchell.

Police are also continuing to question a 26-year-old man who was arrested in Lurgan on Thursday.

Ms Mitchell, 21, was last seen in the early hours of June 3 in Ballymena town centre.

The Community Rescue Service has been involved in searches for her.

Its regional commander Sean McCarry said the team is working closely with police.

He told the BBC on Friday: “Our teams were using special equipment to assist with the search. We started yesterday morning in the early hours and went right through into this morning.

“We took a break and now we are back at it as we speak.

“The search is quite wide-ranging. The focus, of course, is in the last place where Chloe was seen.

“Our teams are working along the Braid River. Because it has been so dry through the past few weeks there isn’t a big flow in the river.

“We are not searching on the basis that we think Chloe might have got into difficulties in the river, we are searching on the basis of it is within the vicinity of the search area.

“We concentrate on all waterways and all areas as we carry out the search.

“We have quite a number of our team out today. We bring additional resources as we need them and the tasks come through to us from the police.

“Starting this morning we have about 35 people on the job.

“We would expect that to increase throughout the day.”

Police said Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV walking in the direction of James Street, and have asked for anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact officers.

Chief Inspector Arnie O’Neill said a 26-year-old man was arrested in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Thursday and is currently helping police with inquiries.

He added: “We are becoming increasingly concerned as to the whereabouts of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell.

“We are now aware that Chloe was last seen in the late hours of June 2 into the early hours of June 3 in Ballymena town centre. She was seen on CCTV walking in the direction of James Street.

“Chloe was wearing a green and black North Face-style jacket, a white T-shirt, leggings and Nike trainers.”

Community groups in Ballymena have also been carrying out searches for Ms Mitchell, including the Harryville Residents Association and Ballykeel and District Community Association.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2262 of June 5.