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Missing Arthur Jones: 'Extensive' search by Crete police Missing Arthur Jones: 'Extensive' search by Crete police
(35 minutes later)
A Welsh policeman says there had been "extensive searching" for a Denbigh pensioner missing in Crete.A Welsh policeman says there had been "extensive searching" for a Denbigh pensioner missing in Crete.
North Wales Police's DCI Gareth Evans is helping with the search for Arthur Jones, who has not been seen since 19 June - two days after he arrived. North Wales Police's Gareth Evans is helping with the search for Arthur Jones, who has not been seen since 19 June - two days after he arrived.
He said the search has been hard as there is no "narrow search area". He said the search had been hard as there was no "narrow search area".
On Monday police found Mr Jones's name in a war cemetery visitors' book, where he had hoped to lay a cross on the grave of a friend's relative.On Monday police found Mr Jones's name in a war cemetery visitors' book, where he had hoped to lay a cross on the grave of a friend's relative.
Police want to speak to British people who signed their names next to his on 18 June.Police want to speak to British people who signed their names next to his on 18 June.
Mr Jones, 73, a keen walker with 40 years' experience, told relatives he planned to go on a walking trip but had not left any details of where.Mr Jones, 73, a keen walker with 40 years' experience, told relatives he planned to go on a walking trip but had not left any details of where.
Officers hope Mr Jones may have spoken to some of the other tourists at the World War II cemetery in Souda Bay, near the city of Chania where he was staying and told them of his plans. Officers hope Mr Jones may have spoken to some of the other tourists at the World War II cemetery in Souda Bay, near the city of Chania where he was staying, and told them of his plans.
DCI Evans repeated an appeal for any of the people whose names appear on the visitors' book to contact police. Det Ch Insp Evans repeated an appeal for any of the people whose names appear on the visitors' book to contact police.
He also said that contrary to fears expressed by Mr Jones' family that not enough was being done to find him, he thought the police in Crete were doing everything possible to find the missing man.He also said that contrary to fears expressed by Mr Jones' family that not enough was being done to find him, he thought the police in Crete were doing everything possible to find the missing man.
He told BBC Wales: "The brigadier [from Crete police] gave us a very thorough briefing of the areas searched and it's been very extensive searching in some very difficult conditions.He told BBC Wales: "The brigadier [from Crete police] gave us a very thorough briefing of the areas searched and it's been very extensive searching in some very difficult conditions.
"There were search teams of police and volunteers out last weekend in temperatures of 41C. The nature of the terrain - it's a limestone area there's potholes and gullies and scree slopes and there's limited scope for the helicopter to search due to the fact that we just haven't got a narrow search area to look at.""There were search teams of police and volunteers out last weekend in temperatures of 41C. The nature of the terrain - it's a limestone area there's potholes and gullies and scree slopes and there's limited scope for the helicopter to search due to the fact that we just haven't got a narrow search area to look at."
The family's hopes had been raised by a possible sighting of Mr Jones dating from 25 June, a day after he was due home, but DCI Evans said local police had ruled out all sightings reported so far. The family's hopes had been raised by a possible sighting of Mr Jones dating from 25 June, a day after he was due home, but Det Ch Insp Evans said local police had ruled out all sightings reported so far.
However he added: "There is one on the 20th of the month for a sighting on a peninsula near his hotel and that was from an ex-pat lady who lives out here.However he added: "There is one on the 20th of the month for a sighting on a peninsula near his hotel and that was from an ex-pat lady who lives out here.
"She was back in England last week but is back (in Crete) so we're going to speak to her."She was back in England last week but is back (in Crete) so we're going to speak to her.
"It's quite a unique missing person's inquiry really in that he hasn't told anybody about what his plans are apart from speaking to people back home about some vague plans of walks he wanted to do."It's quite a unique missing person's inquiry really in that he hasn't told anybody about what his plans are apart from speaking to people back home about some vague plans of walks he wanted to do.
"They are in some very mountainous terrain which is very difficult to search."They are in some very mountainous terrain which is very difficult to search.
"The last sighting we've got of him is the 19th of June. The cleaner in the hotel where he was staying saw him leaving his apartment.""The last sighting we've got of him is the 19th of June. The cleaner in the hotel where he was staying saw him leaving his apartment."
Ex-pat's view
Former probation officer John McKenna and his wife Leonie moved to live in Crete from Prestatyn last year and are renovating a property near Plakia.
He said that ex-pats were well aware of the search for Arthur, with an entry on the "Brits in Crete" Facebook site.
Mr McKenna, a keen runner, said: "There are lots of walking groups here with very knowledgeable people who could be useful.
"Like me, most suspect that he has gone into the White Mountains which are extensive and twice the height of Snowdon.
"The tracks are well-used by walkers and hikers and it is possible to traverse the island on the European E2 walking route over the mountains," he said.
"There are also plenty of farmers and shepherds who travel on the remotest of trails."
He said that although there were plenty of places to stay "off-piste" he, like others, would have expected Arthur to have shown up by now.
As well as searching the area near where Mr Jones was staying in the west side of the 160-mile-long(260km) island, police have also searched around Mount Ida (Mount Psiloritis) as he mentioned going to visit the area.As well as searching the area near where Mr Jones was staying in the west side of the 160-mile-long(260km) island, police have also searched around Mount Ida (Mount Psiloritis) as he mentioned going to visit the area.
On Tuesday the North Wales Police team out in Crete will visit the peninsula where there was a potential sighting of Mr Jones.On Tuesday the North Wales Police team out in Crete will visit the peninsula where there was a potential sighting of Mr Jones.
Phil Benbow from North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, who went out to Crete with the officers on Sunday, is going with them to recce the area.Phil Benbow from North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, who went out to Crete with the officers on Sunday, is going with them to recce the area.
Anyone with any information should contact their local police force on 0300 3300101 quoting the North Wales Police reference number R103354 .Anyone with any information should contact their local police force on 0300 3300101 quoting the North Wales Police reference number R103354 .