UK Tom Dingle, 19, last seen at 00,30 in Appley Bridge, West Lancs. 13 Dec 2025.

[StillDiggin]

Sadly lots of concern for Tom’s welfare with numerous police appeals and ongoing searches.
The mother of a teenager missing from near Wigan says she is "desperately worried" and just wants her son home.

Tom Dingle, 19, from Appley Bridge, west Lancashire, was last seen at Stonemill Rise at about 00:30 GMT on Saturday, and police think he may have then headed to the Appley Lane North area.

"We just want him home safe as soon as possible," his mother, Susan Dingle, told BBC Radio Manchester. "We've even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in. We're just here to love and protect him. That's all."

Lancaster student Mr Dingle is 5ft 11in, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black Vans hoodie, black jeans, black Doc Martin shoes and carrying a backpack.

Tom Dingle: Mum appeals after son, 19, goes missing from Wigan

His mum tells BBC Radio Manchester a note has been left on the front door so he knows he is not in trouble.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[KittyBee]

Hopefully he’s just taking some time to grieve. My boyfriend died when I was about this age and it felt like the end of the world, but things do get easier eventually.

 

[Serononin]

Poor guy, really hope he just needed some space and that he'll go home when he's ready

 

[RobinCAL]

We are in hell, say family of missing teenager Tom Dingle

The mother of a 19-year-old missing for six days has made an emotional appeal for him to be found.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[StillDiggin]

Police searching for a vulnerable Wigan teenager publish CCTV of him in his village on the night he disappeared

Police hunting for a vulnerable Wigan teenager have published CCTV clips showing his last recorded movements.

www.wigantoday.net

Footage of Tom, anyone else think he looks like he is flagging a vehicle down?

 

[RobinCAL]

Police searching for a vulnerable Wigan teenager publish CCTV of him in his village on the night he disappeared

Police hunting for a vulnerable Wigan teenager have published CCTV clips showing his last recorded movements.

www.wigantoday.net

Footage of Tom, anyone else think he looks like he is flagging a vehicle down?

On a quick watch it does seem like that or putting his hand up as a greeting, but you would think if the person knew him, they would have come forward.

 

[Normal Norm]

Police searching for a vulnerable Wigan teenager publish CCTV of him in his village on the night he disappeared

Police hunting for a vulnerable Wigan teenager have published CCTV clips showing his last recorded movements.

www.wigantoday.net

Footage of Tom, anyone else think he looks like he is flagging a vehicle down?

Watching this on a PC monitor (rather than a phone), I am pretty sure that Tom pulls a small bottle out of his pocket and takes a swig.

 

[RobinCAL]

Watching this on a PC monitor (rather than a phone), I am pretty sure that Tom pulls a small bottle out of his pocket and takes a swig.

Yeah on re-watch, it is 100% him taking a swig of a drink IMO

 

[MollyHarps]

this case was in my local news website - unfortunately, all things for me do not point to a positive outcome.

It sounds like he was really struggling.

I hope the family have answers soon.

 

[Normal Norm]

There is very sad news coming through about Tom. Skelmersdale Police have issued the following statement:

We have a tragic update to give you in our search for missing student Tom Dingle.

At 3.12pm on Christmas Day we were contacted by a member of the public who had found a man deceased in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton.

Although no formal identification has taken place, we believe it to be the body of 19-year-old Tom. Tom’s family have been informed, and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are very much with them at this extremely distressing time. We would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this devastating news.

Tom’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.

Skelmersdale Police Facebook page (full statement)

 

[MollyHarps]

Devastated for the family but I am glad he has been found so they can begin the grieving process and lay him to rest.

I hope you’re at peace now Tom.

Also my thoughts go out to the member of the public who found him on Xmas day - they were likely just out on a mid afternoon Xmas day walk like many of us do.