Man missing after robbery arrest

Sean Lupton's white van was found a week after he vanished

An international search is under way after a man questioned in connection with the £53m Securitas robbery in Kent in February went missing.

Sean Lupton, 46, who was arrested on 9 November and released on bail without charge, vanished from his home in Whitstable on 12 December.

Detectives believe Mr Lupton may have boarded a ferry to France and say they are increasingly concerned about him.

They say there is nothing to link his disappearance with the robbery.

"We believe it is out of character for him not to have contacted his family over Christmas and New Year," said Det Insp Tony Hubbard.

Boxing coach

Mr Lupton, a builder from Hillside Road, is married with two teenage children.

He is well known in boxing circles in the South East and trained youngsters at Herne Bay Boxing Club.

He was last seen in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, at 1800 GMT on 12 December.

His white Transit van was found parked and locked in Aycliffe, Dover just over a week later.

Police have circulated posters in the Dover area and are appealing to anyone crossing the Channel since 12 December to come forward if they saw Mr Lupton.

The missing man was one of two men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery in the £53m Tonbridge heist after early morning raids in Whitstable and Ramsgate.

Both were released on police bail until 8 February.