POLICE and the family of a mother-of-two who has been missing for four days are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Lindsay Birkbeck, 47, who works as a high level teaching assistant at Ightenhill Primary School in Burnley, was last seen in Burnley Road, Huncoat, at 4.10pm on Monday.

Police, search dogs and mountain rescues volunteers have been conducting what detectives have described as ‘significant searches’ in and around The Coppice.

Door to door enquiries were also being conducted on Thursday, with police describing Ms Birbeck’s disappearance as ‘out of character’.


Detectives have released a CCTV image, showing Ms Birbeck dressed in a purple bubble jacket, black leggings, black trainers with a white sole. 

She is described as white, 5ft 11ins, of slim build with shoulder length dark hair. Ms Birbeck, who has links to Accrington, Burnley and Kendal, is said to live alone.

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Officers are particularly keen to find a dog walker who they believe was in Peel Park Avenue between 4pm and 5pm and who may have seen her.


Det Chf Insp Allen Davies, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are very concerned about Lindsay and I would urge anyone with information to come forward.

“Her family are obviously very worried about her disappearance.

“This is very out of character in terms of her behaviour. The route she was due to take is unknown, but what we do know is she was walking in Burnley Road in the direction of Accrington town centre. 

“The information we have had is Lindsay has potentially made her way down Park Hall Avenue and the base of that runs towards The Coppice, and area familiar to her.

“We have also had information suggesting she may have been making her way towards that area so we have done some significant searching in that area.

“We don’t know where she has gone but we are growing increasingly concerned given the time that has passed since she was last seen.

“I would also appeal to Lindsay herself directly and say if she is out there and reading this for her to make contact with the police so we can check she is safe and well.”

Det Chf Insp Davies said officers were providing support to Ms Birbeck’s family.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting log 0016 of August 13. For immediate sightings call 999.