Cars and people stopped by police in hunt for missing Cumbernauld mum of two Karen Stevenson

Police have stopped cars and pedestrians in the hunt for a missing mother of two as they grow “extremely concerned for her safety”.

It is a week on from when 42-year-old Karen Stevenson was last seen in her hometown of Cumbernauld in the early hours of the morning.

Police said her family, including her two children, are “extremely upset” by her disappearance.

Between 1am and 4am on Saturday, police stopped and spoke to people in 53 cars and 20 pedestrians in and around Fleming Road in the hope of jogging someone’s memory.

Ms Stevenson had left her home in Lairds Hill in the Seafar area sometime after midnight on Saturday, February 19, and walked towards the town centre, where she was spotted in a lift at the shopping centre around 2.44am.

Missing: Karen Stevenson caught on CCTV in Cumbernauld a week ago. Police Scotland

She then walked towards Muirfield Community Centre near Brown Road and Fleming Road where she was seen around 2.55am.

Sergeant Greig McKail said: “Karen’s family, including her two children, are extremely upset by her disappearance and just want to know she is safe and well and want her home as soon as possible.

“Extensive searches and inquiries have been carried out throughout the local area in an effort to trace her. These are continuing and we’ve been assisted by resources including specialist search advisers, and the dog unit.

“Officers have also been carrying out house-to-house inquiries and checking CCTV.”

He added: “Karen always stays close to home and has never been missing before.

“As time passes we’re growing extremely concerned for her safety and wellbeing.

“I know our concern is shared by locals, and I would continue to urge anyone who thinks they may have seen her to get in touch as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how small, could help find her.”

Ms Stevenson is described as 5ft 1ins, of slim build, with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a purple parka-style jacket with a black fur-lined hood, a cream long sleeve t-shirt, black leggings and black ankle boots.

She also may be carrying a small pink handbag decorated with metal studs and a chain strap.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3369 of Saturday February 19.