Constance Marten and Mark Gordon vanished after their car broke down on the motorway, near Bolton (Picture: Greater Manchester Police)
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon vanished after their car broke down on the M61, near Bolton (Picture: Greater Manchester Police)

Detectives searching for a missing couple and their newborn baby have checked every hotel and B&B in Colchester.

A CCTV sighting over the weekend led police to believe Mark Gordon and Constance Marten were in Essex.

They have been missing since their vehicle broke down on the M61, near Bolton, on Thursday.

At the time, Constance had ‘very recently given birth and neither her or the baby have been assessed by medical professionals’.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that overnight search efforts have focused on Colchester.

The forces said in a statement: ‘At this stage, we are following several strong lines of enquiry.

‘We continue to liaise with transport companies in order to identify whether there has been any onward travel from Colchester.

‘Officers have also worked through the night to visit every single hotel and bed and breakfast in the city to establish whether the couple and their baby have recently stayed with them.’

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo issued by Greater Manchester Police of a CCTV image which is believed to be Constance Marten outside Harwich Port in Essex on Saturday. Ms Marten who along with Mark Gordon are missing with their new born baby, after their vehicle broke down near junction four (Farnworth, Bolton) of the M61 on Thursday. Police searching for a missing couple and their newborn child have released a CCTV image that is believed to be of the mother amid fears for their safety. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for Constance Marten to make contact and seek medical assistance. Issue date: Saturday January 7, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Bolton. Photo credit should read: Greater Manchester Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Constance was sighted outside Harwich Port in Essex on Saturday (Picture: PA)

Leaflets have been delivered across Colchester in a bid to trace the family.

After their car broke down, they were initially believed to have walked towards Anchor Lane bridge which links the Highfield and Little Hulton areas.

Widespread search efforts have been underway in the days since.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston said: ‘As we have said previously, from our perspective this search is about the young child’s welfare.

Undated handout photo issued Greater Manchester Police of their appeal poster after Constance Marten and Mark Gordon went missing with their new born baby, after their vehicle broke down near junction four (Farnworth, Bolton) of the M61 on Thursday. Issue date: Friday January 6, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Bolton. Photo credit should read: GMP/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Leaflets have been handed out across Colchester amid desperate searches (Picture: PA)

‘We know some elements of the public may see police involvement as unwelcome and I would seek to assure you that we do not wish to impose ourselves for any reason other than to make sure the new-born baby is alive and well.

‘I am a parent myself and I know the bond a mother and father have with their child, but I would appeal directly to Mark and Constance to put the welfare of their child first.

‘To you, Constance, medical professionals still need to assess your baby to make sure he or she is medically well and there no underlying issues for which he or she may need help for. Indeed, medical professionals would like to examine you for the same reasons.

‘Please, get in contact any way you would like to. We are here and ready to help you.’

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