Police give search update in Jay Slater case days after hunt for teen was called off

Spanish police have provided an update in the case of missing Brit Jay Slater, a teenager who disappeared on Tenerife last month.

Slater went missing over two weeks ago (17 June) after attending a festival on the Spanish island and then becoming separated from his friends, who said he went off with others on a night out.

They told authorities that they got a call from Slater in the early hours of the next morning saying he was lost and trying to get back to them, which would have required him to walk for several hours.

Since then Slater hasn't been heard from and there followed a significant police search which was called off last Sunday (30 June), though the Civil Guard said they'd continue to respond to tip-offs and new information.

Slater's family had travelled out to Tenerife to help look for him, and following the announcement from police that the official search was over they vowed to 'carry on searching ourselves'.

Jay Slater and his mum Debbie. His family are continuing the search after the police said official efforts would end. (Family handout)

Slater's family hopes their own search will be funded by money put into a GoFundMe, with Jay's mum Debbie explaining how they'd use it.

However, they told Sky News they're still waiting for permission from authorities to withdraw the funds.

Duncan wrote: “Hi again everyone. Your generosity has been vast, and we are so grateful for all of your support and kindness during this unimaginable time for our family.

“As I said in my official statement, the Spanish police conducted a land search for 12 days which involved every resource they had available. Although the land search ended, the Spanish police still continue with their investigations into why Jay had travelled to the location so far away from his accommodation.

"We offer our sincere thanks to the Spanish authorities, who continue to follow lines of inquiries.”

She also said the money would go towards supporting volunteers who were searching the mountains of Tenerife for her son.

Police have said that other searches can be carried out under certain conditions. (Family Handout)

While the official search has been called off, Spanish police told Sky News that the family's own efforts could continue under a few conditions.

They said that search teams could operate 'without any problem', but they must let the police know what they were doing 'for good management of information and resources'.

Following requests from volunteers to assist in the search for Slater, and rumours they would need permission from Police Scotland to do so, Sky News reports that while volunteers do not need permission from police to join the search, they would need pay for and arrange travel and accommodation themselves, and insure themselves against risk.