One week on from when she was last seen in Portobello, the family of Alice Byrne have issued an appeal urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward. 

The 28-year-old was last seen leaving a house on Marlborough Street between 8am and 10am on New Year’s Day and its believed she may have headed in the direction of the promenade and beach.

A significant search has been carried out by officers and friends of Alice’s have been posting online and distributing flyers for information on her whereabouts. 

Today Alice’s family said: “Alice has been missing for one week now and we are shocked and distressed by her disappearance.  

“She always keeps in contact with us so we are extremely worried because we have not heard from her. We are desperate to know where she is.

“If Alice sees this, we want her to know how much we miss her. We just want her home safe and well.  

“We urge anyone who has seen Alice, or who has any information at all that might help police find her to phone officers and pass on any information you have. 

“We are very grateful for the support we have received during this upsetting time. We would like to thank everyone who has shared appeals to find her, the police for their professionalism and especially the local community for all the support they’ve given.”

Alice is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair.  When she was last seen she was wearing a black top, black jeans ripped at the knees and white trainers. 

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “It has now been one week since Alice was last seen and since then she has not made any contact with family or friends.  As time passes we have become increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and safety.

“Since Alice was reported missing, extensive searches and enquiries have been carried out throughout primarily the Portobello area.  These searches are ongoing and we continue to be assisted by specialist police resources including air support, police dogs, search officers and our Marine Unit.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Portobello area at that time who may have dash cam footage to check devices and call if you have any sightings of Alice. We are aware that the beach and Promenade area was busy on New Year’s morning so appeal to anyone to review photos and call if they have any information that may assist in tracing Alice. Officers have been speaking to local people and visiting local businesses in the area in case anyone remembers seeing Alice in the area.

“Naturally Alice’s friends and family are extremely concerned and we just want to trace her as soon as possible to ensure she is safe. Again, I would urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday, 1 January, or who has any information that may be relevant to our investigation to contact us as soon as possible.

“If Alice reads this appeal, please phone your family, friends or the police.”

Any information can be passed to police through 101 with reference 0647 of 2 January.