Arrest made as part of investigation into man's 2002 disappearance

Detectives have made an arrest as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a man in North Tyneside 22 years ago.

Robert Scott Clive, known affectionately as Scott, was last seen shortly after 11pm on October 10, 2002, in the Borough Road area of North Shields.

Scott, originally from Stranraer, was reported missing by concerned family members, and following initial enquiries, a murder investigation was launched.

With his body having never been found, unconfirmed sightings in the early hours of the following morning placed a man appearing to match Scott’s description near the banks of the River Tyne.

Since his disappearance, officers have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and spoke to various witnesses as they looked to piece together some of Scott’s movements on the night he went missing.

Police are keeping an open mind as to the exact circumstances that led Scott to going missing.

However, after recently receiving new information, last week officers from Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with Scott’s disappearance.

He has since been released on police bail with enquiries ongoing.

Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, who is leading on the case, has now re-appealed for anybody with information regarding Scott’s disappearance 22 years ago to come forward.

“We have always kept an open mind as to the exact circumstances surrounding Scott’s disappearance and that remains the case,” Det Insp Atherton said.

“However, upon receiving new information in recent weeks, we took the decision to arrest a man and he was interviewed in police custody in relation to Scott’s disappearance.

“The key to this investigation could still be out there within the local community – and I am today urging anybody who has information about Scott’s movements that night to come forward.

“Scott’s family have had to live for the last 22 years not knowing what happened to him – and we hope to give them the closure they deserve, by finding out what exactly happened that night.

“Please, if you know anything, think of them and pass on any relevant information to us.”

Specialist officers are continuing to offer Scott’s family support as the investigation into their loved one’s disappearance continues.

Scott’s mum, Patricia Clive, said: “I have four grandsons and the eldest has just turned 30 - the age Scott was when he went missing.

“We can’t help but make comparisons, he is living his life to the full and has everything we wished for Scott.

“We can’t bear this torment any longer - almost 22 years of us missing him and not knowing what happened, we need to lay it and Scott to rest.

“If you have any information please come forward, the family need closure so that we can mourn him and hopefully move forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch online at the following link - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/10NP020310B52-PO1.

Alternatively you can contact Northumbria Police by sending a DM on social media, using the live chat function on this website or by visiting https://www.northumbria.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ quoting reference NP-20240703-0398.