Police, HM Coastguard and the RNLI were all involved in a search of the Forelands area of Bembridge yesterday (Wednesday) – thought to be in connection with the continuing search for missing Slough man Chetan Patel. Officers responded to Lane End at just before 11:30 and headed to the village’s RNLI lifeboat station, equipped with evidence bags. A short time later, a large-scale search was launched with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor called in. Bembridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was also launched and conducted a shoreline search between Whitecliff Bay and Priory Bay. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 from Lee-on-Solent was later scrambled to assist with the search efforts, focusing on the Sandown Bay area. Nothing was found. It’s understood that yesterday’s search was part of wider efforts to locate 56-year-old Chetan Patel, who has been missing since late October. It was on 19th December that a missing person appeal was launched with the suggestion that Mr Patel may have been in the Shanklin area in early November. 
The National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed to conduct a specific search of Culver Down just 90 minutes before that appeal was issued. On 21st December, another search of Culver Down was conducted involving Police, WightSAR and HM Coastguard. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary was approached for a statement, but no response was given. Police are also yet to comment on the activity in Bembridge yesterday. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said:
“Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor are assisting Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary with an incident in the Bembridge area. The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Bembridge is supporting”.
UPDATE @ 11:30 – Searches have resumed in the area around Bembridge Lifeboat Station this morning. Police are still yet to comment. 
