The quiet streets of Canterbury, a historic cathedral city in Kent, England, known for its medieval charm, towering spires, and steady flow of tourists, were suddenly gripped by unease on February 5, 2026. In the middle of an ordinary Thursday afternoon, 14-year-old schoolgirl Aimee Walker stepped out of a Co-op supermarket on Sturry Road—and vanished. What should have been a routine errand turned into a frantic police search, with Kent Police issuing an urgent public appeal: if you see her, call 999 immediately. As the hours tick by into the night of February 6, concern mounts for the teenager’s safety in a case that has sent ripples of worry through local communities and beyond.

Aimee Walker, described as a white British girl with tanned skin, stands around 4 feet 11 inches tall with a slim build. Her most distinctive feature is her brown hair with highlights, which she often wears loose or styled simply. When last seen, she was dressed casually for the mild February weather: a black puffer jacket with a fur-lined hood, black leggings, and white trainers. This outfit—practical, youthful, unremarkable at first glance—now serves as a crucial identifier in police appeals broadcast across social media, local news, and The Sun’s coverage. Photos released by authorities show a fresh-faced teenager with a gentle smile, the kind of image that tugs at heartstrings and compels strangers to look twice at every passing girl on the street.

The disappearance unfolded with startling speed. Aimee was captured on CCTV or witnessed leaving the Co-op store on Sturry Road at approximately 2:50 p.m. on February 5. Sturry Road, a busy thoroughfare on the northern edge of Canterbury, connects the city center to surrounding suburbs and villages. The Co-op itself is a typical neighborhood supermarket—brightly lit aisles stocked with snacks, essentials, and after-school treats—where locals pop in for milk, bread, or a quick lunch. It’s the sort of place teenagers frequent after school or during half-term breaks, blending into the everyday rhythm of life. Yet Aimee never made it home, never texted friends, never answered calls. By evening, when she failed to return or make contact, family members raised the alarm.

Kent Police responded swiftly. In a statement issued late on February 5 (originally published at 22:03 and updated early on February 6), officers confirmed they are “searching for a missing teenage girl who vanished after leaving a supermarket.” The appeal is direct and urgent: “Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Aimee [is urged] to call 999, quoting reference 05-1282.” No mention of foul play yet, no dramatic leads like suspicious vehicles or persons of interest—just the stark reality of a 14-year-old girl who walked out of a public place in broad daylight and disappeared.

Canterbury, with its population of around 55,000, feels both intimate and sprawling. The city center bustles with shoppers, students from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, and pilgrims visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral. Sturry Road lies slightly outside the tourist core, lined with residential streets, schools, parks, and green spaces that lead toward the River Stour. From the Co-op, Aimee could have headed south toward the city center, north toward outlying estates, or along quieter residential lanes. Police are likely reviewing extensive CCTV footage—from the supermarket itself, nearby shops, bus stops, traffic cameras on the A28, and even private doorbell systems. In a city where history meets modern life, surveillance is widespread, offering hope that a single frame might capture her next movements.

The timing amplifies the worry. February 5 fell during what many schools treat as half-term or a study break, meaning Aimee may have been out enjoying free time rather than rushing between classes. At 14, she’s at that vulnerable age—old enough to go out alone, young enough to be at risk if something goes wrong. Without her phone (if she had one and it’s now silent), money, or warm layers beyond the puffer jacket, exposure to the chilly Kent evenings poses real danger. Temperatures have hovered in the single digits Celsius, with frost possible overnight. If she wandered off the beaten path—perhaps into nearby fields, along the river, or toward rural areas—hypothermia or disorientation become immediate concerns.

Police appeals often follow patterns in missing teenager cases: initial concern for welfare escalates if no trace emerges within 24-48 hours. Kent Police have not yet upgraded the language to “serious concern” or invoked specialist teams publicly, but the 999 directive signals priority. Officers are likely conducting house-to-house inquiries in the Sturry Road vicinity, speaking to shop staff who may have seen Aimee inside the Co-op, checking with friends and classmates for any hints of plans, arguments, or distress. Social media groups for Canterbury parents and residents are buzzing with shares of the appeal, photos, and offers to check gardens, sheds, or favorite hangouts. “She’s someone’s daughter—let’s all keep eyes open,” reads one viral post in a local Facebook community.

This case echoes a troubling wave of missing teen alerts across the UK in recent months. From Arianna in Winchester to other schoolgirls vanishing from homes or public spots, authorities face the challenge of distinguishing runaway scenarios from those involving exploitation, coercion, or accident. At 14, Aimee falls into a high-risk category: young people in this age group sometimes leave voluntarily due to family tensions, peer pressure, mental health struggles, or the allure of independence. Yet the suddenness—mid-afternoon, from a busy supermarket—raises questions. Did she meet someone? Accept a lift? Decide to head somewhere unplanned? Or did something more sinister occur in the minutes after she stepped outside?

The Co-op setting adds a layer of unease. Supermarkets are everyday sanctuaries—cameras, staff, other shoppers—yet transitions from inside to outside are blind spots. Parking lots, bus stops, side alleys: these are places where a teenager could be approached, distracted, or swept away quickly. Kent Police have not released details of any suspicious activity, but the public is implicitly asked to recall anything odd around 2:50 p.m.—a lingering car, an unfamiliar adult speaking to a girl, a hurried departure.

Community response in Canterbury has been swift and supportive. Local schools, if Aimee attends one nearby, are likely circulating information discreetly. Churches, youth clubs, and sports groups may be mobilizing volunteers. The cathedral city’s tight-knit feel—amplified by its history of resilience through floods, plagues, and wars—now channels into collective vigilance. Flyers with Aimee’s description could soon appear in shop windows alongside posters for local events. Taxi drivers, delivery workers, and dog walkers along Sturry Road are being urged to review dashcam or phone footage.

For Aimee’s family, the wait is excruciating. Though few personal details have emerged—likely to protect privacy—the silence speaks volumes. A 14-year-old doesn’t vanish without leaving emotional echoes: an untouched bedroom, unsent messages, a favorite hoodie left on a chair. Parents and siblings endure the agony of “what if,” replaying the last goodbye or wondering if they missed a sign. Police liaison officers provide updates, but until Aimee is found, uncertainty reigns.

Broader implications ripple outward. Cases like this highlight vulnerabilities for young people in semi-urban areas—accessible transport links that can lead anywhere, online influences that might encourage risky behavior, and the speed with which normalcy fractures. Charities like Missing People and the NSPCC offer support lines, reminding families they’re not alone. In Aimee’s instance, the 999 appeal cuts through bureaucracy: no waiting for non-emergency lines, no forms—just immediate action if sighted.

As February 6 progresses—the second full day missing—the search intensifies. Officers patrol parks, riverbanks, and transport hubs like Canterbury West and East stations. Drones may sweep green spaces; search dogs could track scents from the Co-op. Tips flood in, each one chased relentlessly. The reference number—05-1282—has become a lifeline, a way for the public to contribute directly.

Canterbury’s cathedral bells toll on schedule, indifferent to the drama below. But for those who know Aimee, every chime is a reminder: time matters. A girl in a black puffer jacket, brown hair with highlights, white trainers—small, slim, tanned skin—walked out of a supermarket and into the unknown. The plea is simple yet desperate: if you see her, call 999. Bring her home before worry turns to tragedy.

The streets of Sturry Road remain busy with commuters, shoppers, school runs. Among them, eyes now scan more carefully, hearts hope more fervently. Aimee Walker is out there somewhere. The search continues—urgent, relentless, united.