Public asked to check sheds and garages for missing elderly woman with Alzheimer's

Police have asked the public to check their sheds, garages and other places of shelter for an elderly North Shore woman with Alzheimer's missing since lunchtime yesterday.

Patricia Wearn, known as Pat, 73, has not been seen since she left her home on Caversham Drive in Torbay at 12.30pm yesterday and went for a walk.

Police have been inundated with offers of public help, with many members of the public arriving at the Browns Bay Police station offering their assistance.

However, police are asking the public to leave the search to the experts.

"Whilst we are very grateful for the assistance, the search will continue with specially-trained search and rescue members and our biggest request of the public is that they check their sheds, garages, and places where Mrs Wearn could have gone to seek shelter or rest," a police spokeswoman said.

The search area is being expanded, with the police Eagle Helicopter and police boat Deodar continuing their sweeps and searches of the nearby coastal and land areas.

Wearn normally returned home within 30 minutes of her twice-daily walk.

It was possible Wearn had made her way to Long Bay, about 4km from her home in Caversham Dr.

She was last seen wearing light blue three-quarter-length pants, a patterned top and sandals.

Anyone who may have seen her is asked to call Waitemata Police on (09) 4889754 or 111.