Concerns grow for missing Islington man police say ‘could be anywhere in country’

John Patrick White was last seen withdrawing cash from a north London ATM on August 13
John Patrick White was last seen in Islington on August 13
Met Police/ES composite
Lydia Chantler-Hicks24 August 2023
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Concerns are growing for a vulnerable north London man who has been missing for more than a week-and-a-half.

John Patrick White, from Islington, was last seen withdrawing cash from an ATM at a Post Office in Newington Green on Sunday, August 13.

Detectives are growing “increasingly concerned” for his welfare, while police say his family are “beside themselves with worry”.

Mr White’s relatives reported him missing to police shortly before midnight on Monday, August 14, after growing concerned when they did not hear from him, which was out of character.

The Met launched an investigation, and established Mr White left his home between 9pm on Sunday, August 13 and 10pm the following day.

“We know that he withdrew cash from an ATM at a Post Office in Newington Green on Sunday evening - and that is the last reported sighting we have of him,” said a Scotland Yard spokesperson.

Detectives believe Mr White “could be anywhere in the country”.

The 61-year-old arrived in the UK from Ireland in 1981, and has since lived primarily in the Holloway and Islington areas.

The Met has made “extensive enquiries” across the UK, including in Mr White’s birthplace in Ireland, but no sightings of him have been confirmed since August 13.

In a plea addressed directly to Mr White, his brother, William, said: “John, we are all worried and concerned about you.

“Whatever the issues that are troubling you, we love you, we want to help and we can help. Please make contact with one of us or the police.”

Mr White is described as approximately 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build, with grey shaved hair and blue eyes. When he was last seen he was wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue jeans.

“When he went missing, John had with him a blue bicycle, which is distinctive as it does not have any insignia and has been spray painted,” said a Met spokesperson.

Mr White’s bicycle
Metropolitan Police

Detective Inspector Adam Langley, who is leading the investigation, also issued a statement to Mr White, saying: “John, please get in touch with police or go to any police station and tell them who you are.

“Your family are beside themselves with worry. Please, at the very least, reach out to them and let them know you are okay and where you are.”

DI Langley is urging the public to look out for Mr White.

“Since John’s disappearance, we have completed extensive enquiries and searches in a bid to find him and we believe that he could be anywhere in the country,” he said.

“I am very keen to hear from anyone who knows John and who may have seen or heard from him since last Sunday. I am also asking anyone in the Islington area with CCTV or doorbell cameras to check their footage for sightings of John.

“Similarly, if you have seen his distinctive blue bicycle, which is also missing, please get in touch straight away.

“Establishing John’s movements in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday evenings when he went missing is crucial – if you have information please call us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information that could assist in finding John White should call police on 101, Tweet @MetCC or call Missing People on 116000, quoting 23MIS027679.

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