THE search for missing Oxford woman Emily Stiff drew another blank yesterday after police divers scoured a 200-metre stretch of the River Thames.

Two teams of divers from Thames Valley Police’s specialist search and rescue team, took to the water between East Street and Osney Lock for a three-hour search but found nothing.

One of the divers at the scene confirmed the decision to search the area was carried out after Miss Stiff ’s coat was found near the river.

PC Rupert Jones leading the search said: “The search is based on the intelligence that this was one of the last areas where she was seen.

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“The visibility is quite good so they can see what’s down there.”

PC Jones said the success of the search may depend on how fast the river was flowing.

He said: “If the river was in flood things might get swept downstream but it’s not too bad at the moment.

“All we know is that she has vanished so searching this section of water is just a routine part of the overall search.”

Oxford Mail:

Emily Stiff.

Miss Stiff, 22, has been missing since February 24.

Police searched the river and its tributaries using a boat last week, between Donnington bridge and the Botley Road bridge at Botley, but again nothing was found.

It is understood further searches of the river will be carried out later this week.

Police spokeswoman Hannah Williams said: “The search enquiries were in relation to the missing person investigation to locate Emily.

“The search was inconclusive and enquiries will be ongoing to attempt to locate Emily.”

Emily is white, slim, approximately 5ft 4ins tall and has brown shoulder-length hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a red jumper, dark chequered skirt and black tights.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.