Searchers fail to find Ben Plowright http://bit.ly/1BeBMHY

POLICE suspect foul play might be an answer in the disappearance of Ben Plowright after a comprehensive search of Perth failed to find the missing Launceston man.

Hundreds of public volunteers spread out across the town and joined police, SES and Mounted Search and Rescue looking for Mr Plowright's body or any evidence of the 20-year-old such as his glasses, iPhone or shoes.

The search has been focused around Perth based on international research that suggests that 50 per cent of missing people are found where they were last seen, but that has now been ruled out with reasonable certainty.

Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said nearly every front and backyard in the area had been searched, as had five kilometres of roads and railway from Longford and Western Junction, and up the Kings Meadows Connector and Illawarra main road.

He said the police would now start looking at other possibilities.

''If he was in Perth I think we would have found him.  I can only conclude that he is not,'' Mr Hopkins said. 

''There is certainly consideration of a criminal element we haven't ruled that out at this point in time.

''There is the possibility that he has been involved in an accident and his body has been removed as a result of that accident, and there is also still that option that he is deliberately hiding and evading all of us, which is unlikely.''

Mr Hopkins said new leads and information had been received in the last few days.

''They could be sightings, they might be information of foul play.  There is a variety of leads and information that we have got.  Some have credibility and others are fanciful.''

The number of volunteers who turned up to help surprised and heartened Mr Plowrights family, and the police, who have not seen such an overwhelming search response in 30 years. 

Ben's father Steve urged the volunteers to report anything to police that looked suspicious.

''He could of lost his glasses, he could of lost his phone ... just work with police and SES,'' he said.

''On behalf of the family we really appreciate you coming today.  It is wonderful we have so much support and we just hope that we find him during our searches.'' 

The search continues today as police reassess where to focus their search.

Mr Plowright was last seen two weeks ago in Arthur Street, Perth, at about 9pm.

Mr Plowright was wearing blue jeans, a grey hooded jumper, brightly coloured Converse shoes and glasses. Police urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Launceston police on 131 444