Scotland Yard's homicide and major crime team is investigating the disappearance of a Scottish police officer in London.

Inverness-born Gordon Semple was reported missing when he failed to return home after a meeting at the Shard on April 1.

The Metropolitan Police said Mr Semple, who works in the antisocial behaviour team at Westminster City Council, is being treated as a high-risk missing person.

Detective chief inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We continue to retain an open mind concerning the circumstances of Gordon's disappearance and consideration has been given to whether he may have become a victim of a crime.

"However, at this stage this is just one line of inquiry, it is still hoped that he will return home safe and well.

"We have released CCTV images of Gordon's last known sighting on Friday, 1 April, at 3pm in Great Guildford Street, which runs between Southwark Street and Union Street, SE1.

"We have now established Gordon left the Shard at about 12.30pm, and I would like to know where he went between 12.30pm and 3.00pm, when he was seen on the CCTV.

"We are yet to identify if Gordon met with anyone in that area, or was merely passing through. He can be seen looking at his mobile telephone, but not making or receiving a call."

Mr Semple's 28-year-old niece Kerry Nicholas, who still lives in Inverness, said: "We are very concerned, it's very out of character for Gordon not to get in touch with anybody. He had been at a meeting in the Shangri La.

"He's very outgoing, sociable and friendly. He's a happy go lucky kind of guy and nothing like this has happened before. There's absolutely no reason for him to go missing.

"At the moment we are just concerned about his well-being."