Anthony Lloyd was last seen heading toward Catford after leaving a Lewisham medical facility. Police urge the public not to approach him and to call 999.
Police search after Lewisham departure
Police are searching for Anthony Lloyd, 38, after he left a medical facility in Lewisham at 4.10pm. He was last seen heading toward Catford. Officers are asking the public to help establish where he went after leaving the building, while urging anyone who spots him to contact emergency services rather than approach him.
The reported direction of travel gives the search an initial point of reference, but it doesn't establish where Lloyd is now. A person can change direction, use public transport or travel by other means, and police say he could have gone elsewhere in London or beyond. That uncertainty makes timely, specific information from witnesses particularly useful: where and when someone saw him, and which way he appeared to be travelling.
Links across several areas
Officers say Lloyd could have travelled elsewhere in London or beyond. He has links to Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Merseyside. Those connections broaden the possible area of interest for the search, though they don't show that he has travelled to any of those places.
For readers, the distinction matters. A named connection to a county or region is a lead for people who may have relevant information, not confirmation of a sighting or a destination. Police appeals often identify areas where someone may have contacts or familiarity, but those details shouldn't be treated as a complete account of that person's movements.
The list also spans a wide area, from places near London to locations farther away. That makes it useful for people outside Lewisham to stay alert, while leaving the central request unchanged: report information directly to police. A social media post repeating an unverified location can confuse a search and draw attention away from information officers can assess.
Police warn he may be at risk
Detective Superintendent Melanie Pressley, who is leading the search, said police were making significant enquiries to locate Lloyd and return him to custody. She said officers believe he may pose a risk to himself and the public. The statement sets out why police want the public to respond carefully, while offering no further detail about the assessment or the circumstances behind it.
That limited explanation is a reason to avoid speculation. The source doesn't describe the nature of the risk, and readers shouldn't infer a diagnosis, an incident or an intention from the fact that Lloyd left a medical facility. The practical message is clearer than any theory: police are seeking his return to custody and have asked the public not to approach him.
This is more significant than a routine location appeal because police have explicitly raised a possible risk to both Lloyd and other people. That doesn't tell the public what will happen if he is found, and it doesn't justify trying to intervene. It does explain why the force is asking for an immediate call if someone sees him. (And this is the part most people overlook: the safest useful action may be simply to pass on a location.)
What the public should do
Pressley urged anyone who sees him not to approach, but to call 999 immediately. She also asked people with any information that could help find him to contact police urgently. A sighting should be reported promptly, with the place and time as clearly as possible, so officers can judge what action is needed.
If you're working in this space, or happen to be in an area mentioned in the appeal, don't try to follow or detain someone you believe is Lloyd. A direct encounter could create danger for him, for you or for others nearby. Call 999 if you see him, as police requested. For information that isn't an immediate sighting, contact police urgently through the appropriate channel.
Keep descriptions and reports grounded in what you personally saw or know. Avoid adding assumptions about his route, condition or plans. A useful report can be brief. Clear details, passed on quickly.
Why the appeal's wording matters
Police appeals depend on balancing public awareness with information that can be checked and acted on. This appeal gives a name, age, last known time and place, a reported direction of travel, and areas where Lloyd has links. It also gives a direct instruction for sightings. Those details help people recognise the appeal without implying that officers know his current whereabouts.
That said, the account remains limited. It doesn't say how Lloyd left the facility, whether anyone else was with him, or what enquiries police have completed. “Significant enquiries” signals active work, but doesn't describe its scope. Readers should resist filling those gaps with conjecture; the police statement is the available basis for understanding the search.
The next useful information would be a verified sighting or another lead that police can follow. Until then, the public role is straightforward: stay alert, don't approach him, and report relevant information urgently. What this means for you is simple: if you see Lloyd, call 999 and give officers the details they need to respond.
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion.