POLICE say they are "extremely worried" about a man who has been missing for almost a week.
Officers will today carry out large-scale searches for Stephen Sykes, 49, who has not been seen since Wednesday.
Mr Sykes, who lives in the Priory Road and Wold Road area of west Hull, is described as being severely depressed.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Walker, who is leading the investigation into his disappearance, said: "His family are extremely worried and so are the police.
"He lives with his dad and his brother and they, and the extended family, are all very worried and concerned.
"He is depressed and his mood and demeanour have dropped recently.
"I am appealing for members of the public, who are the eyes and ears of Humberside Police, to contact us if they have seen Stephen or know of his whereabouts."
Mr Sykes went missing for the first time two weeks ago but returned home after two days.
Det Chief Insp Walker said nothing has happened to trigger the change in Mr Sykes's mood in recent weeks.
He said: "Until a fortnight ago, this was completely out of character for him. There has been nothing in the past few weeks that we believe could have led to change in his mood, but people have noticed he has looked more gaunt and tired.
"His mother, whom he was extremely close to, died in 2007 but there has not been anything else we know of that could have led to this."
Posters appealing for information about Mr Sykes' disappearance have been placed around the city centre.
Until December, Mr Sykes was employed at the Mercure Royal Hotel in Ferensway, city centre.
Since then, he has been working at the hotel on a casual basis.
Police said there was a potential sighting of Mr Sykes close to the hotel on Thursday.
Since then, officers have carried out searches around the hotel and at other areas in west Hull. Yesterday, officers carried out further investigations at his home.
Det Chief Insp Walker said: "Specialist officers have been looking for any clues about who he may associate with or anything that may not have been immediately obvious at first.
"We will be searching other areas today."
Mr Sykes has not withdrawn any money from a bank account he shares with his brother, Craig.
He is known to have had £20 cash on him when he was last seen on Wednesday afternoon.
Det Chief Insp Walker said Mr Sykes was wearing a distinctive black jumper featuring a skull and crossbones and the words 'No Fear'.
He said: "His disappearance is extremely worrying. Last time he went missing he came home after two days but it has now been almost a week since he was last seen.
"Even if people don't want to tell the police where he is, if they do know, I would ask them to contact Stephen's family as they are very concerned."
He also appealed directly to Mr Sykes to contact police.
"If you are reading this, please bear in mind the feelings of your family and contact them or the police," said Det Chief Insp Walker.
"They are extremely upset."
Have you seen Stephen?STEPHEN Sykes, 49, is described by police as white, about 6ft 2in and of slim build. He has dark, receding hair.
He was last seen wearing a pair of blue jeans, a black fleece top with a large skull on the front, which featured the words "No Fear", and white trainers.
Anyone with information about his disappearance or whereabouts is asked to call Humberside Police on 101.
