20/05/2026
Barnstaple Mystery Deepens After Two Pairs of Shoes Found Near River Taw in Search for Missing Teen
The search for missing Barnstaple teenager Taylor Charlton has intensified after two pairs of shoes believed to belong to the 14-year-old were discovered along the River Taw, police have confirmed.
Taylor has now been missing for twelve days after he was last seen near Tesco Extra in the Seven Brethren area of Barnstaple at around 10.30pm on Friday, 8 May 2026.
Devon and Cornwall Police say CCTV footage shows Taylor heading in the direction of the River Taw shortly before he disappeared. Officers have since recovered two pairs of shoes believed to belong to him on consecutive days along the riverbank between Sticklepath and Bickington. The shoes were found approximately 480 metres apart on the high tide line.
The discoveries have prompted an extensive search operation focused on the River Taw and its estuary, involving specialist search teams, drones, and the police helicopter. Detectives are also carrying out a large-scale parallel investigation, including the examination of CCTV footage, house-to-house enquiries, and witness and digital investigations.
Despite the ongoing operation, Taylor has not yet been found.
The Human Rights Association (HRA) has now renewed calls for Devon and Cornwall Police and all relevant search and rescue authorities to continue deploying every available resource to the case.
The organisation praised the efforts of officers, emergency services personnel, and specialist teams involved in the search since Taylor’s disappearance.
HRA Chairman Saad Kassis-Mohamed said: “Twelve days have passed since Taylor Charlton was last seen. CCTV shows him heading towards the River Taw. Two pairs of shoes believed to be his have been found on the riverbank. The investigation is large-scale and the search operation is extensive. The HRA calls on Devon and Cornwall Police to sustain every available resource without interruption, and on anyone who holds any information not yet provided to police to call 999 immediately. The search for Taylor must continue with full intensity until he is found.”
He added: “Twelve days. CCTV heading towards the river. Two shoes found 480 metres apart on the riverbank. These are the facts as confirmed by Devon and Cornwall Police. The Human Rights Association calls on the relevant authorities to commit every available resource to this search without interruption and on anyone with information to contact police on 999 immediately, quoting reference 50260117084.”
Police have urged members of the public not to enter the search area or interfere with operations along the River Taw and its banks. Officers have also warned against drone flights in the area, saying they could disrupt search efforts and pose a danger to emergency teams.
Anyone with information about Taylor Charlton’s whereabouts, including sightings not yet reported to police, is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police immediately on 999 quoting reference 50260117084.
