damien nettles bush

Damien Nettles case: Petition calls for extra police funds to be allocated

An online government petition has been created calling extra funds to be released to the police for the Damien Nettles case, Operation Ridgewood.

Teenager Damien Nettles went missing after a night out in Cowes in November 1996. He has never been found. An eight-part documentary series, Unsolved: The Boy Who Disappeared, was recently launched on BBC3.

The petition was set up by Caroline Lyons and reads,

Damien Nettles aged 16 went missing 20 years ago in Cowes, Isle of Wight. His case remains a missing person despite a presumption of murder. Hampshire Police do not have the resources or funding to elevate this case. His family are desperate for justice and closure to move on. Thank you in advance.

As the Government provided extra funding for the McCanns & Needhams, we feel Damien’s case should have the same level of intervention.

Damien’s story was recently featured in an 8 part documentary on BBC3 a Unsolved: The Boy Who Disappeared.

Valerie: “People want to help us get some justice”
Damien’s mother Valerie Nettles, told OnTheWight today,

“Since the BBC Three film, Unsolved, about Damien we have had so much empathy and well wishes from friends, family and general public.

“People are aware of this case like never before and they want to help us get some justice for Damien and our family.

“The petition was started to help get Damien the support he needs to have a closer look at this case and how it’s been handled.

“Extra funding for the police would help because I was informed that the small budget that was allocated for Damien was no longer available.”

To sign the petition head over to the official government petition Website