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Julian De Bono: 'Unusual' not to hear from missing Ipswich man, says friend

Suffolk Constabulary Julian De Bono was last seen in Ipswich at 01:45 GMT on SundaySuffolk Constabulary
Julian De Bono who works at the Ipswich job centre was last seen at a party in the early hours of Sunday

A friend of a man who disappeared following a night out said it is unusual for him not to be in touch.

Julian De Bono, 63, was last seen on Yarmouth Road, Ipswich, at 01:45 GMT on Sunday, heading towards London Road.

Franstine Jones said he is a "popular friendly guy" and they are "worried".

Police said the searches had included "drones, small craft on the water and physically entering the water". A dive team arrived on Saturday to "provide specialist support".

Richard Knights/BBC Franstine JonesRichard Knights/BBC
Franstine Jones said if anyone has any information about Julian, to get in touch with the police

Ms Jones, who is a former president of the National Black Police Association, said: "Julian is a really popular friendly guy, a lot of people know him around Ipswich.

"He's always laughing, he's very approachable."

She added his friends were "very, very worried" and concerned about his silence.

"It's unusual for someone like Julian, who is well known, to not hear anything from him - despite people calling him either through social media or the phone.

"Everyone wants to support the family, I feel for the family at the moment and I just hope everything ends up positively.

"If anybody has got any information let the police know, no matter how little it is, it might be that final bit in the puzzle that makes sense."

Dive team about to search River Gipping
A specialist Nottinghamshire Police dive team is helping emergency services with the search of the River Gipping

Mr De Bono went to a work event on Saturday evening, before heading back to Ipswich town centre to continue his night, police said.

He was wearing a white, partially see-through shirt, with red trousers and high-shine black shoes.

CCTV footage and eyewitnesses put him on Yarmouth Road shortly before 02:00 GMT, but Suffolk Police has re-appealed for CCTV and dashcam footage from the area, which may aid the investigation.

Ch Insp Richard Burton, from Suffolk Police, said: "We want to give the water as much attention as possible."

There had been a number of house-to-house inquiries and searches will continue to take place in and around the river, the force added.

Steven Huntley/BBC Crime sceneSteven Huntley/BBC
An area of the River Gipping, near the Suffolk Retail Park, has been cordoned off for police to carry out searches
Suffolk Constabulary Julian De Bono on CCTVSuffolk Constabulary
Julian De Bono was captured on CCTV on Yarmouth Road, near to the River Gipping

Mr De Bono's family has appealed on Facebook for anyone with information to get in touch.

"They're very concerned, as you would expect, so we're doing everything we can to provide them the support that they deserve," said Ch Insp Burton.

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