The footage appears to show Gareth Jones and his dog being swept out to sea in Hove.

Emergency teams have been scouring the Brighton and Hove shoreline for more than 20 hours as part of extensive attempts to find the 69-year-old, who was reported missing yesterday.

Neither Gareth nor his dog have been found.

He was last seen walking his dog near Fish, a fishmongers in Basin Road South, Portslade, at about 1pm yesterday.

A search for Hove man Gareth Jones was launched by police yesterday

Concerned family members contacted police, who enlisted the help of coastguard crews at 7.30pm as they launched a large search.

At the operation's peak last night, police, coastguard crews, lifeboat teams and the coastguard helicopter were all involved in the search, while the crews of several boats in the area also helped to scan the shoreline and water last night.

Search efforts continued into the early hours of this morning, with emergency teams standing down at about 2.30am before resuming the operation just five hours later.

READ MORE:

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As Sussex Police launched the search yesterday, the force also issued an appeal for help in finding Gareth.

This has been widely shared by hundreds of people in Brighton and Hove, alongside messages of support for his family from friends and residents.

The appeal said that Gareth had last been seen walking his dog, a brown cockapoo, below, near Portslade seafront and asked people to keep an eye out for the animal, which was believed to have been wearing a red harness.

Sussex Police asked people to look out for Gareth Jones' dog, a brown cockapoo

Anyone who had any information on Gareth's whereabouts was urged to call 999.

But, shortly after 4pm today, police confirmed that search efforts for Gareth were being scaled down.

A force spokeswoman said: "The search for missing Hove man Gareth Jones has been scaled down following an update on the investigation this afternoon. 

"Gareth, 69, was reported missing with his brown cockapoo dog yesterday having not been seen since 1pm.

Search efforts in Hove last night

"Officers investigating the matter have viewed CCTV from the area where he was last seen, and believe it shows Gareth and his dog sadly getting swept out to sea. 

"Despite extensive searches involving Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, lifeboat crews and search and rescue volunteers, neither Gareth nor his dog have been found. 

"Coastguard and lifeboat crews have now been stood down from the search, but police officers and volunteers are continuing to search the coastline. 

"Sussex Police would like to thank all of those involved with the search, including members of partner agencies and the many volunteers who have offered support."