Police are asking residents of east London to search sheds and gardens in search of missing people

Sydney Piper, 69, was last seen entering Lloyds Park in Walthamstow through the Forest Road entrance at 11.50am on Thursday 23 February.

Scotland Yard said his disappearance was atypical and officials were increasingly concerned for his well-being.

He is not believed to be in possession of any money or Oyster cards, so police believe he may have been living outside in snowy weather for the past week.

Sydney is described as 5ft 7in, slim build with a gray beard and short black hair. He was last seen in a long black coat, gray t-shirt, gray trousers and black slippers.

He has a distinctive splayed-feet gait that people may have noticed.

Detective Inspector Seb Florent, from North East London’s Missing Persons Unit, said: “More than two weeks since Sydney was spotted, we have growing concerns for his wellbeing. Without money or an Oyster card, it’s unlikely he was able to travel far. We are now asking those in the Walthamstow area to please check any sheds, outbuildings or overgrown areas.

“Special officers have been conducting searches of the park and we continue to recover surveillance cameras from the area. We also need to hear from everyone using the park who has seen Sydney over the past two weeks.”

Anyone who has seen Sydney is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number CAD 4957/24Feb.