Renewed Police Appeal for Missing Birmingham Man Known as 'Huggy'
West Midlands Police have issued a renewed appeal for information regarding a missing Birmingham man who disappeared without a trace seven years ago. Charna Singh, aged 60 and known affectionately as 'Huggy', was last seen on February 20, 2019.
Distinctive Figure in City Centre Community
Charna Singh was a well-known member of the street community in Birmingham city centre. Police describe him as a distinctive figure who walked with two sticks due to mobility issues and frequently spoke in Punjabi. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, he was known to have poor health, including living with diabetes.
His last confirmed sighting was in January 2019, when he attended City Hospital Birmingham following a fall. He left the hospital shortly after and has not been seen since, with a formal missing person report filed several weeks later.
Known Haunts and Habits
Charna was familiar in several Birmingham areas, including:
- The Soho Road area of Handsworth
- Winson Green
- Ladywood
It was not unusual for him to sleep rough and present himself as homeless, according to police statements. His nickname 'Huggy' made him recognizable to many in busier parts of Birmingham and Handsworth.
Police Investigation and Public Appeal
PC Shaun Reeve from the force's Missing Person Review Team emphasized: "We think Charna would have come to the attention of somebody in the days and weeks after he was last seen. He was distinctive due to his mobility and the fact he used two sticks."
The police believe it is unlikely he traveled far, though they have explored possibilities of both local and national movement. The appeal aims to jog memories of anyone who might have seen Charna in the period before his disappearance.
PC Reeve added: "We hope someone might remember seeing Charna in the days before he went missing and might know more about where he went - we hope we can find him and bring his family some closure in this case."
Missing Person Review Team's Role
The Missing Person Review Team specializes in investigating long-standing cases that span several decades. Since its formation, the team has resolved more than 200 cases by re-examining original investigations to identify new leads that may not have been accessible initially.
This unit covers cases from as far back as 1968 up to 2022, continually appealing for information that could help establish what happened to these individuals.
Anyone with information that could assist in locating Charna Singh is urged to contact the Missing Person Review Team at 0121 626 7003.
