THE search is continuing today for a 16-year-old boy who has gone missing from his home on Portland.

Samuel White was last seen at his home address in West Wools, Southwell at around 7.45pm on Sunday, January 7.

Residents were appealing for information about Samuel's whereabouts on social media on Monday before Dorset Police made an official appeal for information, issuing a description and photograph (below).

Dorset Echo:

Specially trained emergency services and volunteers have been carrying out searches around Portland, and coastal searches were carried out on Monday by Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team and Weymouth lifeboats.

The lifeboats were back out again today.

A spokesman said: "Weymouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was launched at 2.30pm today on a request from Solent Coastguard to continue the search for a missing teenager from Portland.

"With wind and sea conditions better than yesterday, the Coastguard wanted a further shoreline search to be carried out from Portland Bill to Chesil Cove to double check the search area.

"The inshore lifeboat was used for this second search due to its ability to get closer into the cliffs than the all-weather lifeboat that was used for yesterday's search.

"The search failed to find any sign of the missing person and the lifeboat was released and returned back to station at 4pm."

Family members have been handing out posters at Tesco on Portland as part of the search to find Samuel.

Police have continued searching areas of Portland today.

Samuel is described as white, around six feet one inch tall, of medium build with fair hair that is short on the back and sides and quite long on top.

While officers have appealed for the community's help to find him, they have warned residents against joining the main search.

Dorset Police says this is due to searches being carried out on difficult terrain, meaning conditions could be 'treacherous' as darkness falls. 

Chief Inspector Robert Chalkley, of Dorset Police, said: “We are concerned for Samuel’s welfare as he is believed to be upset and officers have been carrying out a number of searches around Portland in our efforts to locate him.

“I am appealing for anyone with any information as to Samuel’s whereabouts, or who sees a boy matching his description, to contact police immediately.

“I would also urge Samuel if he sees this appeal to contact us or your family immediately as we all want to ensure you are safe and well.”

Ian Guy, duty controller for HM Coastguard said: "We understand the concerns of members of the public, especially family members and teenagers, who want to help the emergency services with the search operation.

"However, the coastal environment can be very high risk, especially as nightfall approaches and we would ask people not to conduct any searches on the cliffs or coastlines as they could get into difficulty themselves.

"Please be assured that the coastguards and lifeboat crewmen - who are properly equipped and trained to reach these areas – are currently carrying out extensive searches along the coastline."

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 7:377.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.