OFFICERS have released images of two men they want to speak to in relation to the missing teenager Tom Jones, who has not been heard from since the early hours of Wednesday morning ( September 19).

Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy from West Mercia Police said: "Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has come forward with information and possible sightings of Tom, the level of support that we have received from the local community i overwhelming.

"Our detectives are working around the clock to try and determine what happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and have spent hours studying CCTV footage. As such we have been pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, and we are now currently treating this a criminal investigation."

"As part of our enquiries, we are releasing images of two men we would like to speak to, who were believed to be in Velvet nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and may be able to assist with the investigation. I'd ask anyone who recognises the men pictured, or has seen them in any photos on their social media accounts, to please come forward."

"I would also appeal again to any members of the public who may have seen Tom in that area or out towards Hylton Road. We believe that he crossed the Sabrina footbridge and then walked onto the footpath that runs along the top of the flood defences on Hylton Road out of town generally in the direction of Hallow, just before 3.50am.

"Tom's family is being supported by specially trained officers. I would like to thank them as well as his friends and hundreds of volunteers who have been supporting the investigation. It's a fairly unprecedented response.

"I have met with the volunteer team this morning to talk through the investigation and agree how we could best work together moving forwards. We now kindly ask that the public stay away from the search area, so that our highly trained search divers and officers can work without distraction and continue to conduct a full and thorough search."

Anyone with any information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 431s of 19 September. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.