Search intensifies for missing Paisley teenager
Police Scotland is asking the public to help trace 16-year-old Thomas Smith, who has been reported missing from Paisley. Anyone who has seen Thomas or has information about his whereabouts should call 101 and quote incident 1848 of Saturday, 15 August 2026.
Officers say they are increasingly concerned about his wellbeing and want to trace him to confirm that he is safe and well. The appeal is relevant to people in Paisley and several communities linked to Thomas.
This article is based on information published by Police Scotland News. No further confirmed details about Thomas’s possible movements have been released.
Last seen near Fountain Gardens on Saturday
Thomas was last seen in the Fountain Gardens area of Paisley at about 1.30pm on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
That confirmed location and time provide the main reference point for the public. Residents, visitors and anyone who was passing through the area around that time are being asked to consider whether they may have seen Thomas.
Even if someone did not speak to him, a possible sighting or information about where he went could help officers establish his whereabouts. Police are asking for information rather than unconfirmed public speculation about his movements.
Description and clothing officers want people to recognise
Thomas is described as white, approximately 5ft 9in tall and of slim build. He has short red or auburn hair.
When last seen, he was wearing:
- A black hooded top
- Black jogging bottoms
- White Nike trainers
The description relates to his appearance at the time of the last confirmed sighting. Anyone recalling a possible sighting should consider the combination of his height, build, hair and clothing alongside the stated place and time.
Areas linked to Thomas
Thomas is known to have links to Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Gorebridge and Musselburgh. The appeal therefore extends beyond Paisley to people living in, working in or visiting those areas.
Police have not said that Thomas travelled to any particular linked location. The named areas indicate where recognition or information may be especially useful, but they do not confirm his route or current location.
What this means locally
People in Paisley should focus particularly on the Fountain Gardens area around 1.30pm on Saturday, 15 August. Those in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Gorebridge and Musselburgh should also report any information that could help police confirm Thomas’s whereabouts.
The request applies both to anyone who believes they saw Thomas and anyone with other relevant information about where he may be.
How to give information to Police Scotland
Sergeant Brian Nesbitt said officers were growing increasingly concerned about Thomas’s wellbeing and stressed that it was important to trace him and confirm he is safe and well.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen Thomas, or who has information regarding his whereabouts, can contact Police Scotland by calling 101. Callers should quote incident number 1848 of Saturday, 15 August 2026 so their information can be connected to the missing-person inquiry.
Source: Police Scotland News
Context & actions About this article
Source check Source trail
The identifying details, last confirmed sighting and reporting instructions were checked against the published Police Scotland notice.
- Confirmed the last-known location as the Fountain Gardens area of Paisley.
- Confirmed the reported sighting time as about 1.30pm on 15 August 2026.
- Matched Thomas Smith’s physical description and last-seen clothing to the police notice.
- Confirmed the 101 contact number and incident reference 1848.
- Source
- Police Scotland News
- Scope
- Paisley
- Updated
- 2026-08-17 17:46
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