Police probe couple in dispute

A MASSIVE police search was launched for a woman who disappeared after apparently being pulled into a car by her boyfriend following a furious argument.

Officers were yesterdaytrying to trace the pair to be certain the woman is not being held against her will.

Police were alerted to an argument between a man and a woman in the street at Mayflower Way, Sudbury, early yesterdayafternoon.

Initially members of the public reported the woman was seen being pulled into the car, but upon further investigations officers say they cannot be certain the woman was forced into the vehicle.

Before officers arrived at the scene of disturbance, the couple were seen to drive off in a black Vauxhall Astra, which was later found abounded several miles away at a row of garages on the plush Green Willows estate in Lavenham. The couple, both believed to be in their 30s, had disappeared without trace.

Scrawled in the dust that covered the tatty car were the words “next time your mine Gareth.”

The front seat of the car was also pulled forward, suggesting a quick escape had been made from the vehicle, which had been immobilised by the police for security reasons.

Police officers from Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds were drafted into the Lavenham area to take part in the search, which went on for several hours.

One officer kept guard on the abandoned vehicle and several others were seen at various locations in and around the village. Police cars were also seen patrolling the roads between Lavenham, Long Melford and Sudbury. The force helicopter was also scrambled to help in the search.

Sgt Danny Cooper, of Sudbury police, said yesterday: “We are still trying to establish the identity of the woman so we can be sure of her safety.”

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman later added: “We had reports of a disturbance in Mayflower Way, Sudbury, between a man and a woman, but there is still discrepancies over what was seen.

“The car was then seen leaving the area and later spotted abandoned at Green Willows in Lavenham.

“We need to locate the people involved so that we can be sure they are safe and sound. As in all domestic cases it is our policy to follow them up.”

Green Willows resident Betty Hyde said she was shocked to see such a level of police activity on the usually quiet estate.

“It is shocking to see something like that happen here because it is usually so peaceful. I didn't see the people who abandoned the car, but at one point there were four or five police cars here.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Sudbury police on 01284 774300.