Cops release new CCTV of missing firefighter Anthony Knott who vanished on Christmas pub crawl as fa

May 2024 · 4 minute read

COPS have released new CCTV of the missing firefighter Anthony Knott - who vanished while on a Christmas pub crawl.

The dad-of-four's desperate family have begged for news, more than a week on from his disappearance.

And police have issued a clip showing a man believed to be Anthony walking along White Hill, Lewes - three minutes after he left a pub alone on December 20 at 7.16pm.

He is then seen 18 minutes later walking back towards the town along the same road.

Chief Inspector Sarah Godley said: “This new CCTV footage comes as a result of footage from a number of premises being reviewed in the area.

"Although it is before the confirmed CCTV image we released of Anthony walking up Market Street at 7.41pm on the evening of his disappearance, it may jog someone’s memory from that night.

“Anthony has a distinctive walk and we believe in releasing this footage more people may come forward with information.

"We are appealing for anyone in this CCTV footage to make contact with us so we can confirm whether this is Anthony.

“Extensive searches continue throughout the local area and these have been supported by local officers, drones, dog unit, London Fire Brigade, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service helicopter, Sussex Search and Rescue and HM Coastguard."

Yesterday a still from CCTV taken at 7.41pm - four minutes on from the new footage - captured the 33-year-old almost back at the pub he had left, but he never arrived.

He was seen mysteriously walking along Market Lane back towards The Lamb - around 20 minutes after cops also say his phone was switched off.

'HE WAS HAPPY'

Pal Steve Shepherd told Sky News: "It's just out of character. He was happy [in his] home life, friends, family. I spoke to him on the Thursday, we were going for a drink on the Saturday. We had future plans.

"It's just unusual. He's vanished and we don't know where."

And Anthony's fiancee, Lucy Otto, has said he had "every intention" of coming home after the festive event.

She said: "If you're worried and you're thinking, 'Oh I can't come home, this is too big now', honestly, you don't realise how many people want you back regardless of the situation you left in - if that is the case.

"To be gone for this long, I just don't get it, I just do not understand it.

"I've been asked if there was any indication of depression or worries or troubles but I've racked my brains; there is nothing he said to me that would make me think he was in that frame of mind.

"I don't think that's an option that he's gone off and he's hurt himself."

Cops said he “may have come to harm” and have extended their search to include the area around an outdoor swimming pool.

Lucy told The Sun: “The police are focusing on the water aspect and that he has fallen into the water, but I think there’s more to it.

“In my heart of hearts I think he has been taken or something. It just doesn’t make sense. I just want the police to start looking at different angles.

“The days are getting on now, they need to pull their finger out and start from the beginning.

“Where did he go after he left the pub? Something isn’t right, you can’t just walk out of a pub and never be seen again.

“I appreciate them searching the water, I really do. But it has been five days and they’ve come up with nothing.”

The firefighter had been pub-hopping with around a dozen colleagues and lost touch with them at around 7.20pm on December 20.

There has been no activity on Anthony’s phone since 7.20pm on December 20 and it has been off since 1am on Saturday, while his bank card has not been used.

On the day of the disappearance Lucy had dropped him off at another pub at 12.30pm where his last words to her were "love you, bye".

MOST READ IN NEWS

Anthony, of Orpington, Kent, is white, approximately 6ft and of medium build with medium-brown short gelled hair.

He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve top, a dark denim suit-style jacket, dark denim jeans and black shoes.

His disappearance of is described as “very out of character” as friends say they are “really worried.”

Coastguard and fire and rescue teams search the River Ouse for missing Anthony Knott

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