CCTV shown on city screen as fears grow over missing office worker

THE parents of an office worker who vanished a week ago have issued an emotional plea after police said they were "gravely concerned" for her safety.

• Police broadcast CCTV footage of Suzanne Pilley travelling to work on a giant TV screen in Edinburgh city centre. Picture: TSPL

CCTV footage of Suzanne Pilley travelling to work by bus Tuesday 4 May was shown on a giant screen in Edinburgh city centre – the first time Lothian and Borders Police have done this. The 38-year-old book-keeper's parents have described her disappearance last week as "right out of character", and police admit there are strong indications of a criminal act.

Ms Pilley was last seen leaving a Sainsbury's supermarket on Rose Street, at the corner of St Andrew Square, at 8:53am last Tuesday. She visited the store shortly after getting off a bus at the Jenners department store on Princes Street.

But Ms Pilley, who was single and lived alone, failed to turn up for her work at an office in nearby Thistle Street, about 100 metres from the popular supermarket. She sent a text message to her mother about 20 minutes before she was last sighted.

CCTV images of her last-known bus journey, from her home in Stenhouse, west of the city centre, were shown yesterday on a huge screen in St Andrew Square, accompanied by a police commentary, in a bid to jog the memory of anyone who may have seen her in the area.

Some 60 officers are involved in the inquiry, many of whom were out in force in St Andrew Square yesterday distributing leaflets and hoping to speak to potential witnesses.

Forensic teams have also been searching garages and empty offices below Infrastructure Managers Ltd, where Ms Pilley worked.

An initial appeal was issued on Friday after police were called in by her parents Robert and Sylvia.

A statement from the couple, issued through the police, said: "The past week has just been like our worst nightmare – we almost cannot believe it is actually happening.

"We are asking anyone who might have any information, however trivial, to get in touch with police and put our minds to rest."

Mr Pilley, 67, added: "The family is very upset at the moment. We would have heard from her by now. It's right out of character for her. She's always texting and calling her mum and we have not heard anything from her at all since she went missing. We just hope somebody gets in touch with the police."

Detective chief inspector Gary Flannigan, the officer leading the inquiry, said: "Her family and close associates are telling us that it is completely out of character for her not to be in touch. Her family are devastated by this disappearance.

"A large team has carried out extensive inquiries in the last week, and I have to say there are strong indications that a criminal act could account for Suzanne's disappearance."