Forensics are examining two locations in the hunt for a missing Wiltshire man – who was last seen in Somerset on New Year’s Day.
Craig Hurcombe’s disappearance was initially reported to Wiltshire Police on 10 January, but the case has since been transferred to Avon and Somerset Police.
On Monday (12 January), detectives launched a full-scale investigation after the 40-year-old vanished. He was last seen in the Gurney Slade area of Somerset.
A man, aged in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being held in custody for questioning.
Despite the arrest, the force confirmed that investigators are keep an open mind as to the circumstances – and the case remains a missing person enquiry.
Detectives are focused on two locations – a HGV operations site off Roemead Road near Gurney Slade and a house in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Wiltshire 999s understands that Craig worked for Blanchard Construction as a Class 1 lorry driver, and was last seen on the HGV operations site.
Today (Wednesday), around four forensics were spotted at the yard. They appeared to take interest in a digger, a concrete basin, a shipping container and a copse at the rear of the site boundary.
A white tent has been erected in the copse, with two crime scene investigators donning white suits photographing the area, taking notes and putting items into bags.
On Tuesday (13 January), forensics were also at a house in Armoury Yard, Shaftesbury. Locals say they were removing items from the property in evidence bags.
Police officers remained on scene this morning, guarding the building. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that both crime scenes are in place as part of ongoing investigation into Craig’s disappearance.
A spokesperson said: “There is a police presence at a site in East Somerset and Shaftesbury, Dorset, in connection with a missing persons investigation which is being led by Avon and Somerset Police, and that is all we can say at this stage.”
In a previous appeal for information, the force called for dashcam footage from Roemead Road, Roemead Lane, Simbriss Road, Pound Lane, Galley Batch Lane, and Golf Links Lane from between 6pm on Thursday 1 January until 2am on Friday 2 January.
They are also appealing for dashcam footage captured in Roemead Road from 11pm Monday 30 December 2025 until 2am on Tuesday 31 December to get in contact.
Craig was originally reported missing to Wiltshire Police at 10.45am on 10 January, but he was last seen at around 6.20pm on 1 January.
At the time, Chief Inspector Andy Pritchard said: “We have launched an investigation to establish where Craig is, and CCTV and dashcam footage will be crucial to our enquiries.
“We are working with our colleagues at Wiltshire and Dorset Police and Craig’s family are being offered support.
“We are remaining open-minded about the circumstances surrounding Craig’s disappearance; however, we have arrested a man in his forties and he remains in police custody.
“This allows us to question the man under caution and gather any evidence.
“We are hoping anyone who may travel regularly along these routes or may have been travelling to or from friends or family over New Year period, may be able to help us.”
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) page has been created for this investigation, and Avon and Somerset Police is asking anyone with information or footage to report it through this link.
If you would prefer to speak to someone, please call 101 and give the reference 5226010430. Alternatively, contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form.
