Tenerife cops hit back after turning down Brit police support
Civil Guard officers on the island told their British counterparts they had the “resources” required.
It led to backlash from Jay’s family and friends who wanted cops to swoop in from the UK to join the hunt.
Now police in Tenerife have warned they will not be sidetracked by criticism as they insisted they are “totally focused” on the search.
Tenerife’s force has yet to make any official comment about the Lancashire Police claims and insisted today it had no intention of doing so at this stage.
A well-placed source said: “The Civil Guard is not going to reply to criticism or praise it receives here.
“Officers are just doing their job, they’re focused on the search and they’re going to continue with the work they’re doing without anyone taking time out to respond to the evaluations other people are making.
“The force is aware of some of the comments that are already out there but are prioritising what needs to be done which is to search for Jay.
“Just imagine how much chatter there’d be if we did publicly respond.”
Jay’s dad pays emotional visit to search site in Tenerife
The dad of missing teen Jay Slater has paid an emotional visit to the search site in Tenerife.
A tearful Warren Slater, 58, said “I just want my boy back” as he overlooked the 2,000ft deep ravine in the remote mountain village of Masca as the search for his son goes on.
Mr Slater was supported by his son and Jay’s brother, Zak Slater, 24, who was too upset to comment when approached at a viewing point.
Their attendance marks a first visit by a close family member.
Warren, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses, bucket hat and shorts, wrapped his arm around Zak as they surveyed the scene below them.
Warren and Zak were also joined by eight of Jay’s friends at the viewpoint above Masca.
Jay’s ‘terrified’ grandma
The grandmother of missing British teenager Jay Slater has spoken for the first time about her fears for her beloved grandson.
Speaking from her chalet on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Mr Slater’s grandmother, June Duncan, described how her family had been trying to shield her from the speculation surrounding his disappearance.
June, 77, said: “I don’t read newspapers but it’s been on the news on telly so much I can’t escape it.
“I’ve not spoken to Debbie much but other family members are keeping me updated.
“My son came to see me on Tuesday and he flew out there yesterday. He’s gone with [Jay’s] cousin to try and help but I don’t know what they can do.
“I wouldn’t be able to go out there, and I’m not sure what help I’d be, I just keep hoping for good news.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She rang me and said he’d gone missing. She didn’t tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then as time went on… “
‘The least chance of survival’
Jonathan Stones, who moved to Tenerife more than two decades ago at 13, said the Teno Nature Reserve – Jay Slater’s last-known location – is one of the island’s most inhospitable spots.
He told The Sun: “Where Jay was last located through his mobile phone is where he stands the least chance of survival.
“The desolate landscapes around the island’s holiday hotspots are referred to as ‘malpais’ by locals — a word that translates into English as ‘bad land’.”
Search focusing on area of Tenerife dubbed ‘the badlands’
Jay Slater is thought to be lost in an area of Tenerife locals call “the badlands”.
The six-day search for the 19-year-old has now honed in on a 2,000ft-deep ravine in a remote, desert-like park.
Helicopters have been seen soaring above, while firefighters, volunteers and police scour the perilous cactus-strewn terrain below.
Jonathan Stones, who moved to Tenerife more than two decades ago at 13, said the Teno Nature Reserve is one of the island’s most inhospitable spots.
He told The Sun: “Where Jay was last located through his mobile phone is where he stands the least chance of survival.
“The desolate landscapes around the island’s holiday hotspots are referred to as ‘malpais’ by locals — a word that translates into English as ‘bad land’.”
Slater’s last snapchat before disappearance
Jay Slater went with two strangers to their Airbnb in Tenerife.
The pair met Jay at a rave on Sunday night and later travelled to a house on the other side of the island.
The 19-year-old, from Lancashire, woke up the next day in Rural de Teno park – a 10-hour walk from his accommodation in Los Cristianos.
After leaving the property, he called friend Lucy Law to tell her his phone was about to die and he was stranded in the middle of nowhere.
The park in the northwest of the island remains Jay’s last known location. He has not been heard from or seen since.
Slater’s final Snapchat picture was an out-of-focus image of a hand holding a cigarette in Buenavista del Norte, which sits within the park.
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