Paul Balmforth disappearance query

The request was refused by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Dear Hampshire Constabulary,

I'm doing a bit of research on several missing persons cases through the UK and was hoping you could help me find out the answers to a few questions. The topic I'm looking at is the disappearance of Paul Balmforth from Southampton in 2000. I understand that it is very possible that a lot of what I am asking here is already in the public domain, as the BBC series "Missing" covered Mr. Balmforth's disappearance back in 2005, but I can't seem to find this episode to watch it.

-It has been said that Mr. Balmforth disappeared from and was last seen from CCTV and a bouncer at the Grosvenor Casino in Southampton on February 8th, 2000. At what time was Mr. Balmforth last seen? Has any additional CCTV footage or witnesses come forward to have seen him after this point?

-They serve alcohol at Grosvenor Casino. Had he been drinking on the day of his disappearance? If so, how much?

-Had he been participating in any gambling at the casino? Is it known whether or not he had left the casino having lost or gained money? If so, how much did he win/ lose?

-It has been reported that Mr. Balmforth had been writing a novel at the time of his disappearance. Is it known what the topic of his novel was, and could this heed any clues to his disappearance? Moreover, it has been mentioned that at the time of his disappearance that it is likely his script had been on his person. Was this ever substantiated? If it was, did any other copies of his book exist? (i.e. on his computer at home?)

-Has there ever been any suspects in this case in this case, and has foul-play ever been considered?

-Lastly, one theory to his disappearance is that he may have decided to swim the river Test as a shortcut to get back to his house. Has there been any evidence to suggest that this might be the case? Was the river test ever searched? Have any John Doe bodies found around the time of his disappearance been compared to Mr. Balmforth via DNA testing?

Thank you very much for your time, and my apologies for the many questions. There really isn't too much information online with regard to this case. If there is any additional information you would be able to inform me on, that would also be great!

Yours faithfully,

James Bouchier

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

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Dear Mr Bouchier

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HC/00041/19

 

The following request for information under the Freedom of Information Act
was received by the Public Access office at Hampshire Constabulary on the
date listed above:

 

The topic I'm looking at is the disappearance of Paul Balmforth from
Southampton in 2000.

 

It has been said that Mr. Balmforth disappeared from and was last seen
from CCTV and a bouncer at the Grosvenor Casino in Southampton on February
8th, 2000. At what time was Mr. Balmforth last seen? Has any additional
CCTV footage or witnesses come forward to have seen him after this point?

 

-They serve alcohol at Grosvenor Casino. Had he been drinking on the day
of his disappearance? If so, how much?

 

-Had he been participating in any gambling at the casino? Is it known
whether or not he had left the casino having lost or gained money? If so,
how much did he win/ lose?

 

-It has been reported that Mr. Balmforth had been writing a novel at the
time of his disappearance. Is it known what the topic of his novel was,
and could this heed any clues to his disappearance? Moreover, it has been
mentioned that at the time of his disappearance that it is likely his
script had been on his person.  Was this ever substantiated? If it was,
did any other copies of his book exist? (i.e. on his computer at home?)

 

-Has there ever been any suspects in this case in this case, and has
foul-play ever been considered?

 

-Lastly, one theory to his disappearance is that he may have decided to
swim the river Test as a shortcut to get back to his house. Has there been
any evidence to suggest that this might be the case? Was the river test
ever searched? Have any John Doe bodies found around the time of his
disappearance been compared to Mr. Balmforth via DNA testing?

 

 

Your request will be considered in accordance with the legislation and you
will receive a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days,
subject to the provisions of the Act.  In the unlikely event that
Hampshire Constabulary is unable to meet the 20 working day deadline, you
will be informed as soon as possible and given a revised time-scale for
response.

 

To be accepted, any clarification(s) to your request must be submitted in
writing directly to the Public Access team at Hampshire Constabulary. 

 

If your request requires either full or partial transference to another
public authority, you will be informed.  Should you have any further
enquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Public Access on
telephone number 02380 479 580 quoting the reference number above.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Rosalind Howell | Public Access Assistant
Joint Information Management Unit | Hampshire Constabulary & Thames Valley
Police

Telephone 02380 479580 | Internal 4631754

Address: Hampshire Constabulary, Mottisfont Court, Tower Street,
Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8ZD.

 

Information Management Helpdesk:

Hampshire :[1][email address] / 02380
479580 (Int 463 1754)

Thames Valley: [2][email address] /
01865 542051 (Int 300 329)

 

 

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

1 Attachment

 

 

Rose Gaunt | Public Access Officer
Joint Information Management Unit | Hampshire Constabulary & Thames Valley
Police
Telephone 02380 479580 | Internal 463 1759
Address | Hampshire Constabulary, Mottisfont Court, Tower Street,
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8ZD

 

Information Management Helpdesk:

Hampshire - [1][email address] / 02380
479580 (internal 463 1760)

Thames Valley - [2][email address] /
01865 542051 (internal 300 6329)

 

 

 

*********************************************************************************

Hampshire Constabulary currently use the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of
applications. Please be aware of this if you intend to include an
attachment with your email. This communication contains information which
is confidential and may also be privileged. Any views or opinions
expressed are those of the originator and not necessarily those of
Hampshire Constabulary. It is for the exclusive use of the addressee(s).
If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any form of
distribution, copying or use of this communication or the information in
it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this
communication in error please forward a copy to:
[email address] and to the sender. Please
then delete the e-mail and destroy any copies of it. Thank you. 
*********************************************************************************

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]

hide quoted sections