A 'HEARTBROKEN' mother appealed for the public's help in finding her 19-year-old son who has been missing since last week.

Richard Okorogheye, who studies IT in Oxford Brookes University, was last seen leaving his home in Ladbroke Grove, west London, at around 8.30pm on March 22.

He was reported missing by his family on March 24, and police have said they are becoming 'increasingly concerned' about him.

In an interview with Sky News, his mother Evidence Joel said: "I told a police officer that my son was missing, please help me find him, and she said 'if you cannot find your son, how do you expect police officers to find your son for you?"

The 19-year-old, who has sickle cell disease which affects how red blood cells work in the body, did not take his medication or any money.

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Ms Joel added that his disappearance is highly out of character and that he was 'struggling to cope' with university pressures and had been shielding during lockdown.

The force added that the teenager was known to frequent London’s Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham areas.

Chief Inspector Clare McCarthy, of the Met’s Central West Command Unit, said: "Our officers have been working tirelessly to locate Richard, using all investigative opportunities and data inquiries, speaking with witnesses and trawling CCTV.

"We are following every lead possible and are appealing for the public to help us in our work.

"If you may have seen Richard, please contact police.

"If Richard is safe and well, we ask him to contact us as a matter of urgency so that we can put his family’s minds at ease."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134.