Locals’ fury after Asda worker ‘tears down poster for missing teen Ben Savage because it wasn’t allowed’
The 18-year-old vanished after a night out with friends in Kent
AN ASDA worker accused of tearing down a poster for a missing teen 'because it wasn't allowed' has been branded a disgrace by locals trying to find the boy.
A huge search is underway for Ben Savage, 18, who was was last seen at the Tap N Tin nightclub in Railway Street, Chatham, in the early hours of Tuesday but did not return home.
Today a Facebook user took to social media to say she had seen an Asda worker remove a poster put up by those trying to find the student close to where he went missing.
Paige Georgina Davies wrote: "Just been to Asda Gillingham pier and one of the workers ripped Ben's poster off the trolley storage thing and threw it in the bin.
"My dad questioned him as to why and he said they're not allowed to put them up. I say everyone come down here with loads and plaster the place in them!!! #FindBenSavage."
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Replying to the post Jennie Goldie Stevens wrote: "Disgusting!!!!! Shame on them."
Gary Phimister added: "Asda Gillingham you are a disgrace. How would you feel if it was a member of your staff's family who went missing?"
And Diane Copland said she would "boycott" the store.
@kyemmypashley added on Twitter: "Can't believe the staff at the @asda store in #gillingham ripped down Bens poster! Sort it out and show some compassion! #findbensavage."
An Asda spokesperson said: “We are very concerned about Ben’s whereabouts and have put posters up on our store community board and in the colleague areas to ensure they are as visible as possible.
"We have moved some posters from our car park because they were blowing off customer cars and the trolley bays and therefore wouldn’t be seen. All of our colleagues at Gillingham Pier are hoping for Ben’s safe return.”
It comes as Ben's distraught mum says his disappearance is "very out of character" and has appealed for help finding her son.
Ben's mum Tara Savage said the "family boy" was devoted to her, dad Martin and brother Luke, with his Facebook profile showing the 18-year-old holding his newborn baby niece Laila.
Family friend Keely-Ann McFarlane said: "Everybody's just hoping and praying that he will show his face."
The 19-year-old said she she wasn't out with Ben on the night he went missing but had been messaging him earlier that evening.
"That's the last I spoke to him," she added.
Dozens of volunteers have joined police in the search for Ben, along with the Medway Coastguard team and Sheerness Inshore Lifeboat crew, reports .
Police said they were reviewing CCTV footage to try and track Ben's movements after he left the bar at around 2.45am.
A friend wrote on Facebook: "He was pretty drunk last night, I'm really hoping he's alright, fingers crossed nothing bad has happened! Best of luck."
Another friend posted the last SnapChat message Ben, from Rochester, is believed to have sent.
According to his Facebook page, Ben was a pupil at The Holmesdale School in Snodland before going to study at MidKent College in Medway.
A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers are concerned for the welfare of Ben Savage, 18, after he disappeared following an evening out.
"He was last seen at 2.45am on Tuesday 6 December in Railway Street, Chatham.
"Ben is described as 18 years old, 5ft 10ins, with a medium build and short brown hair.
"He is believed to be wearing a black waist-length jacket with a zip on one arm, a grey t-shirt with a large white number on the front, dark blue skinny jeans and black trainers with white detail.
"Anyone who may have seen Ben or knows where he might be is urged to call Kent Police on 999."
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