Detectives have begun a murder investigation following the disappearance of a man who vanished as he drove from Scotland towards England.

Paul Taylor, 56, from Annan in Dumfries and Galloway, was last seen at home at around 9.45pm on 17 October before his car was driven to Carlisle that night.

Police Scotland launched a search last month and said officers were “increasingly concerned” for Mr Taylor’s welfare and described his disappearance as “out of character”.

On Wednesday, Cumbria Constabulary confirmed the inquiry has since been upgraded to a murder probe.

The force said two 19-year-old men, from the Carlisle area, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

A 37-year-old man, from Carlisle, and a 17-year-old boy, from Appleby, are also in custody after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Pattinson said: “We have been working round the clock to try and find Paul since he was last seen on Tuesday 17 October.

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“As the investigation has developed, and due to new information we have received, we are now treating the disappearance of Paul Taylor as a murder investigation.

“We are still requesting the assistance of the public to provide any information to us which may assist police, so we can understand the circumstances and events of what has happened.”

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Mr Taylor was driving a blue Vauxhall Corsa with the registration PY18 DYO.

After leaving Annan at 9.45pm, his car travelled southbound towards Carlisle via the M6.

Police believe the car then headed in the direction of the Kingmoor South area of Carlisle at around 11.35pm, and also the Carlisle West area.

Officers are examining potential sightings of the vehicle in the Yewdale, Sandsfield Park and Brough Road areas of the cathedral city during the night of 17 October and morning of 18 October.

Mr Taylor’s car was found abandoned in Langwathby in northern Cumbria at 8.45am on 19 October.

DCS Pattinson is urging all those people who knew or spoke to Mr Taylor in the weeks or months leading up to his disappearance to contact officers or Crimestoppers.

He added: “Don’t worry if you think the information is not important or may not be significant – it could be vital to help us establish what has happened to Paul and give his family the answers they deserve.”

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