James Corfield: 1,000 gather to support search for missing teenager - with video
About 1,000 people gathered in Montgomery to show their support for the search for missing teenager James Corfield and for his family.
The group met outside Montgomery Town Hall at 11am on Saturday.
Wearing blue, the group were asked not to continue searching for him and to leave it to specialists by police.
James went missing at the Royal Welsh Show at about midnight on Monday. The 19-year-old was last seen at the White Horse pub in Builth Wells.
Superintendent Jon Cummins said: “Staying away is the best possible assistance the public can give us today and of course reporting any new information they may have to us by calling 101 immediately."
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George was among those who took to Twitter at the event:
Montgomery Cricket Club, for whom James was the star player, has cancelled this weekend’s fixtures. A statement from the club said Saturday’s matches against Cound and Ludlow Cricket Clubs had been called off.
Club chairman John Barker said James is an “exceptional” cricketer who was last year named the Shropshire League Young Player of the Year.
He added: “We want him back. He’s so important to us and we really feel for the family.”
James, who is from Montgomery, was reported missing shortly before 2pm on July 25 when he didn’t return to meet his family at the Royal Welsh Show.
The statement added: “The club is still concerned about the whereabouts of James Corfield. He’s an outstanding cricketer and friend to everyone at the club, and we can’t wait to get him back.
“Our thoughts are with Louise, Brian, Thomas and Emma, all of whom are at the heart of our cricketing family at Lymore.
“We’re very thankful to the large number of players, supporters and friends who are helping to find James, and we‘ll be doing all we can until he returns.
“We also appreciate all the support and messages sent by other clubs and individuals. Because of the efforts made by our players and supporters throughout the week, we won’t be putting teams out this Saturday, and thanks are due to Cound and Ludlow Cricket Clubs for their understanding during this period.”
Superintendent Jon Cummins said: “While we fully understand the concern from the community and the desire to assist in the search for James, it is vitally important at this stage that we have only specially trained officers and our partners out there looking for him.”
