By Oliver Farrimond
LOTHIAN Police dramatically stepped up their efforts to trace missing Samantha Wright yesterday, broadcasting her image to commuters at busy Waverly Station in Edinburgh.
A picture of the 25-year-old was displayed on the station’s advertising screen to mark the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, along with a poster campaign around one of Scotland’s busiest transport hubs.
It is hoped that the campaign will aid efforts to track down Samantha, who was last seen in the East End area of Edinburgh on 12th June 2008.
Chief Inspector Paul Bullen, who is leading the investigation, said that Lothian and Borders Police were eager to embrace new ideas to track down Samantha.
He said: “It is extremely frustrating that we have reached the one-year anniversary of Samantha’s disappearance, and we are still no closer to finding out what has happened to her.
“We are obviously incredibly concerned for her safety and well-being given the length of time that has passed.
“The appeals we have launched over the course of this week show that Lothian and Borders Police are keen to use every available resource at their disposal and will embrace new technologies to help us with our enquiries.
“We do not know what has happened to Samantha and are anxious to speak to anyone who may be able to fill in the blank between her last sighting and where we currently are with this investigation.”
Recent campaigns over Samantha’s disappearance have seen police appeal to pub and club-goers for information, and to revellers at pagan fire festival Beltane.
Although last seen in June of last year, Samantha was only officially reported missing after Christmas when she failed to contact her family in England.
The 25-year-old had moved to Edinburgh three and half years ago after falling in love with the capital on a family holiday.
Chief Inspector Bullen added: “What we’re trying to do is generate a significant level of interest in Samantha’s disappearance amongst the public, using both the big screen in Waverly and our poster campaign.
“Samantha is a lively girl who loved to socialise, and had made a number of good friends in the area.
“If anyone has seen Samantha, or has any information that they feel may assist in tracing her, they should immediately contact Lothian and Borders Police or Crimestoppers.”
Police can be reached on 0131 311 3131, and Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
