First picture of missing Heywood man after police scour River Roche in huge search operation

Police have released a picture of a missing Rochdale man at the centre of a huge search operation in the River Roche.

Nathaniel, whose last name has not been given, was last seen in the Roch Valley area of Heywood at around 9am on Sunday (November 24). Officers have now confirmed he is the man at the centre of a significant search this afternoon following reports of a man falling into the river.

Police, fire crews, mountain rescue teams, an HM Coastguard helicopter, and paramedics were scrambled to near Bamford Road following the report at 10.30am. Pictures show the rescue teams searching a stretch of the river close to Back o' th' Moss community centre into the afternoon.

READ MORE: Traveller girl, 13, ended up 'hysterical' in Grimsby after being herded onto train by police in Manchester

Police have now confirmed Nathaniel as the missing man connected to this incident. In an appeal, the force described him as a 6ft black man of medium build, with short black hair, a full black beard, and a moustache.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded top with white writing on the front, a white t-shirt, light denim ripped jeans and grey sliders.

Anyone with any information on Nathaniel's whereabouts is asked to call 101 quoting log 1049-24112024.