Desperate mum begs teen to ‘come home’ after car abandoned in Canterbury nature reserve

Name: Jason Stevens, 18, was last seen at around 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026 and Kent Police are now very concerned for his welfare.
Jason Stevens, 18, was last seen at around 5pm on Friday 13 February. Kent Police are now very concerned for his welfare.

Dozens of volunteers have been scouring remote woodland in Kent in the hunt for a missing teenager.

Jason Stevens, 19, was last seen at around 5pm on Friday, police said announcing their growing concern for his welfare.

He was last caught on camera buying supplies from a Sainsbury’s Local in Loose Road, Maidstone.

Police believe Jason may be near the Blean Woods Nature Reserve in Canterbury after his car was found abandoned in Rough Common car park,

His desperate mother, Helen Stephens, told Metro: ‘I want him to know he is loved.

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‘And we just want him home.’

His sister Katie, sharing an appeal on Facebook, added: ‘My brother has been missing since Friday 13, his car was found abandoned at Blean nature reserve car park.

‘Blean Woods is a massive area so search and rescue have been helping.

‘I just want my brother home safe.’

Kent Search & Rescue Our volunteers have temporarily stood down this evening following our search in Blean Woods. The team, alongside Kent Police, Kent Search & Rescue Dogs - Nsarda Kent, and South East 4x4 Response, have worked through some poor weather today searching 150 miles of tracks and 550 acres of woodland. Many thanks to SE4x4 for driving our team members around, and to The Salvation Army South East Division (& Salvation Army in Canterbury).
Volunteers were forced to postpone their search for Jason due to poor weather (Picture: Kent Search & Rescue)
We are continuing to search for Jason Stevens, 18, who was last seen at around 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026. He may be near the Blean Woods Nature Reserve at #Canterbury. Officers have since recovered CCTV which shows Jason at 1.48pm on Friday 13 February in Sainsburys, Loose Road, #Maidstone. Jason is described as 5ft 10in, of slim build and with dark brown hair swept to one side. He is believed to be wearing a long black coat, dark-coloured trousers, a black rucksack and grey/white trainers. Jason's car was located at one of the nature reserve car parks near Rough Common on Friday evening and a search is underway in the area. Can you help? Dog walkers, horse riders and other visitors to the reserve and the wider area are asked to look out for Jason. If you have critical information regarding his whereabouts, please call 999, quoting reference 13-1214. For all other information please contact us via live chat on our website or by dialling 101. See less
Officers have released CCTV which shows Jason at 1.48pm on Friday 13 February in Sainsburys, Maidstone (Picture: Kent Police)

Dozens of volunteers, dog teams and drones were deployed to scour 150 miles of tracks and 500 acres of dense woodland looking for Jason.

So far they haven’t found a trace with the search hampered by heavy rain and whipping winds.

His father Scott posted his gratitude on Facebook, adding: ‘I just want to personally thank all of you for looking for my son.

‘You are all amazing kind people who volunteer your time when you could be at home with your family.’

The Blean has herds of bison and features nature trails and lakes popular with dog walkers and families.

Kent Search & Rescue Our volunteers have temporarily stood down this evening following our search in Blean Woods. The team, alongside Kent Police, Kent Search & Rescue Dogs - Nsarda Kent, and South East 4x4 Response, have worked through some poor weather today searching 150 miles of tracks and 550 acres of woodland. Many thanks to SE4x4 for driving our team members around, and to The Salvation Army South East Division (& Salvation Army in Canterbury).
Kent Police, Kent Search & Rescue Dogs – Nsarda Kent, and South East 4×4 Response all worked through poor weather (Picture: Kent Search & Rescue)

A Kent Police spokesperson urged dog walkers, horse riders and other visitors to the reserve to look out for Jason.

They added: ‘We are continuing to search for Jason Stevens, 18, who was last seen at around 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026.

‘He may be near the Blean Woods Nature Reserve at Canterbury.

‘Officers have since recovered CCTV which shows Jason at 1.48pm on Friday 13 February in Sainsburys, Loose Road, in Maidstone.’

Jason is described as 5ft 10in, of slim build and with dark brown hair swept to one side.

He is believed to be wearing a long black coat, dark-coloured trousers, a black rucksack and grey/white trainers.

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