Officers have been combing the park as part of the hunt for the 40 year-old who vanished a week ago

18:48, 03 Aug 2025Updated 18:57, 03 Aug 2025

Specialist search officers at Heaton Park on Sunday(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Officers have been carrying out painstaking searches in Heaton Park today as part of the hunt for missing Craig Foy.

Craig 40, from Prestwich, vanished last Saturday night (July 26).

He was last seen on Bury Old Road, near Kenyon Lane, at around 11:45pm after leaving an address on King’s Close.

The investigation into his disappearance is now being handled by GMP’s Major Incident Team.

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Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the enquiry.

Two have since been told no further action will be taken, whilst one remains on bail.

Craig Foy(Image: Greater Manchester Police (GMP))

GMP said in an update last night (Saturday) that ‘CCTV investigations appear to show him climbing into Heaton Park shortly after he left his home address in Prestwich.’

And specialist officers were today seen carrying out searches inside the park.

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Tactical Aid Unit officers carrying sticks could be seen combing woodland inside the park, just off Bury Old Road’s junctions with Orange Hill Road and Heys Road.

Search dogs were also enlisted, whilst a police drone was flown up above an air area close to the Heaton Park reservoir.

A police drone being flown near Heaton Park reservoir on Sunday(Image: Manchester Evening News)

GMP said their work at the park is likely to continue for several days.

The force has said that they ‘don’t know where Craig is, whether he’s come to harm, and whether anyone else is involved’ but said they are ‘becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare’ and that his family are ‘desperate to find him and hear from him.’

Anyone with information that could help detectives is asked to come forward urgently.

Craig is around 5ft 5in tall, of slim build with dark hair that is shaved at the sides.

Officers scoured woodland(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

He was last seen wearing a black cap, square glasses, black T-shirt, black cargos and black Nike trainers.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington, from our Serious Crime Division, said on Saturday night: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Craig’s welfare and his family are desperate to find him and hear from him.

“Specialist resources are working alongside a team of detectives to try and locate Craig as our overriding aim is to bring him back to his loved ones.

Police activity at the park is likely for several days, GMP says(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“At this time we don’t where Craig is, whether he’s come to harm, and whether anyone else is involved, but we can give our commitment to getting answers for Craig’s family who we continue to update and support.

“We are now focusing on Heaton Park and the surrounding area. We have officers in and around the park carrying out searches for Craig and they will remain there for several days.

“Craig left an address on King’s Close in Prestwich, alone and on foot, just after 11.30pm.

CCTV appears to show Craig climbing into Heaton Park shortly after he was last seen(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

“We think he walked in the direction of Bury Old Road. No-one has seen or heard from him since, but CCTV investigations suggest he was at Heaton Park at just before midnight on 26 July.

“Any witnesses who may have seen him or spoken to him should contact police.

“We are also appealing for drivers with any dashcam footage that may have captured Craig’s movements and ask homeowners and businesses to check their CCTV and doorbell cameras.

Craig’s family are said to be ‘desperate’ to hear from him(Image: Greater Manchester Police (GMP))

“Police can be contacted on 101 quoting log number 917-28/7/25 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Any information can also be uploaded to our bespoke Major Incident Public Portal – that includes photos and videos. If anyone knows anything, then please contact us.

“I would also like to thank members of the public who have shared our appeals and provided us with valuable information throughout the investigation so far as this information has been of great value.”