Ismail Ali was last seen leaving work in a shop on Cumberland Road, in Bradford, on 29 May 2020
Tom Kershaw Content Editor and Benjamin Blosse
15:16, 20 Nov 2025
CCTV stills of missing man Ismail Ali in 2020(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
A man who was reported missing five years ago has turned up at a Yorkshire police station, mere days after five individuals were arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Ismail Ali was last seen departing from his place of work on Cumberland Road, Bradford, on 29 May 2020. On Monday, three women aged 47, 54 and 55, along with two men aged 27 and 51, were taken into custody on suspicion of murder following warrants executed at addresses on Beckside Road and Cumberland Road. They have since been released on bail, reports Yorkshire Live.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, West Yorkshire Police announced today (November 20) that Mr Ali had presented himself at a police station on Wednesday, declaring he was “safe and well”. A spokesperson for the force stated: “Mr Ali’s family have been notified that he has been found safe and well and is being safeguarded whilst necessary checks are being made.
“Officers are working to understand the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance.”
Following the arrests on Monday, the force conducted searches at three properties and confiscated a substantial amount of cash. Several of those arrested remain on bail for money laundering offences, the force added.
In a full statement, a spokesperson for the force said: “Detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of Bradford Man Ismail Ali in 2020 can confirm that he turned up at a police station yesterday (November 19) reporting to be safe and well. Officers are working to understand the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
“Mr Ali’s family have been notified that he has been found safe and well and is being safeguarded whilst necessary checks are being made. Following the arrests on Monday, house searches were carried out at three properties and a large amount of cash was seized.
“A number of the people who were arrested remain on bail for money laundering offences. Enquiries will remain ongoing for some time into the money laundering offences. Officers would like to thank members of the public who shared the appeal for Mr Ali.”