Policehave been desperately searching for missing Libby Squire for three weeks now
Police who have been desperately searching for missing Libby Squire for three weeks have been scouring neighbour's gardens in Hull today.
Residents in Riversdale Road were asked by police to let them search their gardens which back onto playing fields.
Officers then rummaged through bushes and hedges which border the northern perimeter of the park as they searched for clues.
However, one couple said they were taken by surprise when an officer jumped over their gate to gain access to their back garden.
Steve Hawcroft, 66, who lives with his wife Ros, 62, said: 'They frightened the life out of me. They needed to get into the back garden and we didn't mind but it just made us jump.
'They were in there for a matter of minutes and they said it was linked to missing Libby. They've been doing a good job and doing everything they can.'
Mrs Hawcroft added: 'They just gave us a fright but we will forgive them.'
Lee Harding, 28, said he was expecting search teams to come knocking at some point given the intense search operation centred on the area over the past three weeks.
Officers were today scouring gardens in Riversdale Road (pictured) for clues about the student's disappearance
'They asked me if I'd seen any discarded clothing and they said the search was linked to Libby,' Mr Harding said. 'It's terrible knowing she is still out there and there are no answers.
'We were expecting them to come out at some point and I'm surprised it has taken as long as it has.'
Ben Walton said he saw one 4x4 police vehicle in the street with officers then splitting up to knock on houses down the street.
The 66-year-old said: 'They asked us if they could come in the garden and check. They were only there in about two to five minutes and they just searched the garden and hedges.'
A 70-year-old man, who did not want to be named,
