Hazel has now been found. Click here for more information.

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HAZEL Denham, 71, is still missing after three days together with her black poodle/Yorkshire terrier cross, Bertie.

Police said the woman, well-known in Minchinhampton, suffers with memory problems and is considered vulnerable. 

She was last seen in the Tynings area at about 1pm on Tuesday, April 4.

Hazel said she was going to walk Bertie on Minchinhampton Common.

Her husband Richard, 85, reported her missing at 5.17pm after she failed to return to their Vosper Close home.

Hazel is white, 5 foot 2 inches tall and has short red hair, she was wearing a blue or black bomber jacket and brown walking shoes.

Bertie has a red collar and was being walked on a red lead.

Extensive searches are being carried out in the area but anyone who sees Hazel call 999 or if they have information about where she is call police on 101 and quote incident 378 of Tuesday, April 4.

A police helicopter joined the search at around 10.20pm on Tuesday, it conducted regular laps around the area between Minchinhampton High Street, Cirencester Road and towards the Tynings and Hyde for over an hour.

On day two the search area was widened to include Eastcombe and Besbury Park.

Trained search and rescue officers along with volunteers from the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and a police dog unit are all playing their part in the intensive search, which now includes a third zone between Minchinhampton and Aston Down.

The Search and Rescue Dogs Association and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) have also been called in to help with the search.

An NPAS helicopter circled the area over towards the Tynings a ain an d Rodborough Common for 40 minutes from 8.12pm and again from 11.20pm last night.

The fire service are also assisting in the search, a crew from Gloucester South were in attendance yesterday using thermal imaging cameras to assist the police in the search and a crew from Stroud will be going out with cameras today too.

There were reports at 2.30pm on Wednesday that Hazel's dog Bertie was seen near Papa's Pizza in Giddynap Lane, Nailsworth.

These have been dismissed by police after this dog was found to belong to different owners.

Several members of the community took it upon themselves to assist with the search as the attempt to find Hazel entered a second night.

The search is now extending beyond Minchinhampton Common towards an area called the Chalford Valley, also known as the Golden Valley.

A police spokesman said: "We’ve received a number of requests from members of the community who want to help with the search. 

"We’ve arranged for two PCSOs to be at the Water Reservoir, Minchinhampton Common at 11am this morning, so if anyone wants to help search the common please meet the PCSOs who will co-ordinate the search with members of the public. 

"Many thanks to everyone offering help."

Hazel and Richard's son James and his wife Lisa were assisting on Minchampton Common and distributing posters.

A public search organised by PCSOs was started from Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe at 5pm, volunteers chose routes around the area and towards Toadsmoor, signing a sheet with their details.

Police report that on the night Hazel went missing there were four independent sightings of her in the vicinity of Eastcombe and Toadsmoor.

Hazel is said to have been very active and frequently walked three to five miles with Bertie each day.

Stroud News and Journal:

PSCO Gary Lynch told the SNJ: "I can't thank members of the public enough for their support.

"The support on Minchinhampton Common today has been fantastic.

"It might seem frustrating at time but we just do not know where she could appear.

"We stay positive and just keep going.

"We have to think of the family and act as a family, we all feel for them.

"It's all very much about supporting people who are searching for Hazel.

"A missing person can appear where you least expect them, and could be hidden in tight spots."

PCSOs issued five pieces of advice for members of the public aiming to help with the search:

1. Have an understanding of your surroundings, or follow someone who does.

2. Make sure people are aware of where you are going.

3. Wear suitable clothing and footwear

4. Take a GPS, map or mobile phone

5. Have enough food and water to keep you going

Stroud News and Journal:

Stroud News and Journal:

A NPAS helicopter using thermal imaging cameras began circling Minchinhampton Common again at 8.02pm as the sun started to set, with a frosty third night ahead.