Key Points
- Gwent Police are looking for assistance with tracking down Darren Smith, a 42-year-old man from Newport, Wales.
- It was thought that Darren was located in the city centre of Cardiff on Saturday, 7 November.
- It is believed that he may currently be found in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
- Darren is 5ft 3in tall, and he was last seen wearing a blue jacket, beige trousers, and a white T-shirt.
- If anyone knows where he is, please contact the police on 101, reference 2600364968.
- Previously issued Gwent Police appeal in August revealed that Darren has connections to both Shrewsbury and Cardiff.
Cardiff Police (Wales Times) November 09, 2026 — South uk/police/">Wales Police have appealed for public help to find Darren Smith, a 42-year-old man from Newport who may be in Shrewsbury. As reported by the Shropshire Star, the force said Mr Smith was believed to have been in Cardiff city centre on Saturday, 7 November.
The appeal asks anyone who sees Mr Smith to contact police. South Wales Police said people should call 101, quoting reference 2600364968, or report his whereabouts through its online reporting service.
Who is Darren Smith?
Mr Smith is from Newport, Wales, according to South Wales Police. The force said he is 42 years old and is believed to have been in Cardiff city centre on Saturday.
As reported by South Wales Argus, a South Wales Police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information to locate Darren Smith who is missing.” The spokesperson added: “Darren, 42, is from Newport but is believed to have been in the City Centre of Cardiff yesterday (Saturday, November 7).”
The force described Mr Smith as 5ft 3in tall. It said he was wearing a blue jacket, beige trousers and a white T-shirt when he went missing.
What are police asking the public to do?
South Wales Police have asked members of the public to get in touch if they see Mr Smith or have information about where he may be. The force said sightings should be reported by calling 101 and quoting reference 2600364968.
The police appeal also provides an online reporting link for people who wish to share information. The Shropshire Star reported that the public can report his whereabouts online through the link published by South Wales Police.
Why is Shrewsbury relevant to the appeal?
Shrewsbury has been named in the appeal because South Wales Police believe Mr Smith may be in the Shropshire town. The force did not provide a precise location, time of any sighting or further details about why officers believe he may have travelled there.
The town has previously been connected to Mr Smith in an earlier missing-person appeal. As reported by South Wales Argus on 19 August, Gwent Police said Mr Smith had links to the Shrewsbury and Cardiff areas.
What did the earlier appeal say?
In August, Gwent Police appealed for information about Mr Smith after he was reported missing. The force said he was last seen in the Commercial Street area of Newport at about 2.50pm on Tuesday, 18 August.
At that time, Gwent Police described him as white, 5ft 3in tall and of large build. It said he was wearing a beige or orange T-shirt when last seen.
A Gwent Police spokesperson said in August:
“Gwent Police is appealing for information to find 42-year-old Darren Smith who has been reported as missing.”
The spokesperson also said Mr Smith had links to Shrewsbury and Cardiff.
What has South Wales Police said?
South Wales Police’s current appeal says Mr Smith was believed to have been in Cardiff city centre on Saturday, 7 November. The force has asked for information from anyone who may have seen him.
In its statement, reported by South Wales Argus, the force said:
“Have you seen him? Please make contact – give reference 2600364968.”
The appeal does not say whether Mr Smith is considered vulnerable, whether police believe he left voluntarily, or whether any concern for his welfare has been identified. Those details were not included in the public appeals published by the Shropshire Star or South Wales Argus.
How can people report information?
People with information are asked to call 101 and quote reference 2600364968. South Wales Police also provided an online reporting route through the link included in its appeal.
In an emergency, people should call 999. The police appeal asks the public not to approach or detain Mr Smith, but to contact officers with information.
Background of the development
South Wales Police regularly appeal for public assistance in missing-person cases. The force says its investigations can include enquiries with family, friends and associates, as well as CCTV, financial and phone enquiries.
The force says it decides whether to publicise an appeal case by case, balancing the need to inform the public with the individual’s privacy and any potential risk. It also asks people not to carry out their own searches for missing people.
Mr Smith’s case has previously involved both Gwent Police and South Wales Police. Gwent Police issued an appeal in August after he was reported missing from Newport, while South Wales Police are now leading the latest appeal after reports that he may have been in Cardiff.
Prediction: How this may affect Shrewsbury residents
For Shrewsbury residents, the appeal may increase awareness of Mr Smith’s possible presence in the town and encourage people to report any relevant sightings promptly. Because police have identified Shrewsbury as a possible location, local residents, shopworkers, transport staff and visitors may be more likely to notice someone matching the description.
The development could also lead to further police enquiries in the area if credible sightings are reported. South Wales Police’s guidance indicates that public information can support investigations, while the force asks people to report information rather than conduct private searches.
For Mr Smith’s family and friends, the appeal may provide a route for information from people outside Wales, particularly those in Shrewsbury who may not have seen earlier appeals. The police reference number, 2600364968, gives the public a direct way to pass on information to officers.
