Fresh Police Appeal for Missing Birmingham Man 'Huggy' Seven Years On
West Midlands Police have issued a renewed appeal for information regarding the disappearance of a Birmingham man known as 'Huggy', who vanished without a trace exactly seven years ago. Charna Singh, aged 60, was reported missing on February 20, 2019, and has not been seen since.
Details of the Disappearance
Charna Singh, who walked with two sticks due to mobility issues, was a member of the street community in Birmingham city centre. He was known to frequent areas including Soho Road in Handsworth, as well as Winson Green and Ladywood. Police noted that it was not uncommon for him to sleep on the streets and present himself as homeless.
His last confirmed sighting was in January 2019 when he visited City Hospital Birmingham after suffering a fall. He left the hospital and has not been seen since, with his disappearance officially reported a few weeks later.
Distinctive Characteristics and Health Concerns
Police described Charna as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and often speaking in Punjabi. He was known to be in poor health, suffering from diabetes in addition to his mobility challenges, which required him to use two sticks. His distinctive appearance and the nickname 'Huggy' made him well-known in busier areas of Birmingham and Handsworth.
PC Shaun Reeve from the force's Missing Person Review Team stated, "We think Charna would have come to the attention of somebody in the days and weeks after he was last seen. He was distinctive due to his mobility and the fact he used two sticks."
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
The Missing Person Review Team, which investigates long-running cases dating back decades, is examining the original work done to identify new lines of enquiry. Since its formation, the team has closed over 200 cases. Officers are looking for any information that might help determine what happened to Charna.
PC Reeve added, "It is unlikely he would have travelled far, although we have explored the possibility of local and national travel. We hope someone might remember seeing Charna in the days before he went missing and might know more about where he went - we hope we can find him and bring his family some closure in this case."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Missing Person Review Team at 0121 626 7003.
