Missing Joy Morgan: Police use sniffer dogs in Stevenage search

Police have been scouring grassland and woodland on the edge of Stevenage in their hunt for clues in the case of missing Hatfield student Joy Morgan, who hasn’t been seen since Boxing Day.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Have you seen Joy Morgan who is missing from Hatfield? Picture: Supplied by Herts Police Have you seen Joy Morgan who is missing from Hatfield? Picture: Supplied by Herts Police (Image: Archant)

Searches have been continuing today for the University of Hertfordshire student after she was reported missing to police on Thursday, February 7.

A group of police officers were painstakingly combing the area in Norton Green this morning and early afternoon.

Joy, who studies midwifery, was last seen in Ilford on December 26, 2018.

The following day she made contact with coursemates via Whatsapp, but that is believed to be the last contact she made.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A police dog search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: DANNY LOO A police dog search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

A 40-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail while enquiries continue.

This week, Joy’s mum Carol and sister Dionne made a heartfelt video appeal for information.

Carol said: “We’re broken.

“All of us are broken inside.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A police dog search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN A police dog search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©2019 Archant)

“She’s only a girl, she’s so loved by us and we miss her so much.

“We need your help and support out there to find Joy.

“Give the information out for her and let the police do their job to find my baby girl, please.

Appealing directly to Joy, she added: “All we want you to do is come forward, go to the police and talk to a police officer.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A police search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: DANNY LOO A police search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

“All I want to know, baby, is that you’re alive and well and that’s it.”

Joy has links to Ilford, Battersea, Cricklewood, Stevenage and Luton.

She is described as black, of slim build, around 5ft 5in tall, with black afro-style hair which she often covers with a scarf. Joy also wears glasses.

As part of the investigation, officers are keen to trace information around a highly distinctive Honda that Joy regularly travels in.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Joy Morgan, a 21-year-old University of Hertfordshire student, is missing from Hatfield. Picture: Herts Police Joy Morgan, a 21-year-old University of Hertfordshire student, is missing from Hatfield. Picture: Herts Police (Image: Archant)

The vehicle’s owner has been identified and spoken to but it is believed that the vehicle is linked to Joy’s disappearance.

•Any information about Joy’s whereabouts can be submitted online here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/35SA020119R15-PO1

If you have seen Joy since she was reported missing or have information about where she has been, please call Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101. If you believe you are with Joy now or have seen her in the last few moments, please call 999 immediately.

•You can also report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In over 30 years, Crimestoppers charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sczaA_KyzD4&feature=youtu.be

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A police search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN A police search team search an area of Norton Green for any sign of missing University of Hertfordshire student Joy Morgan. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Joy Morgan's sister Dionne and mum Carol have made an appeal for the public to help them find the missing Hatfield student. Picture: Herts Police Joy Morgan's sister Dionne and mum Carol have made an appeal for the public to help them find the missing Hatfield student. Picture: Herts Police (Image: Archant)