Police have issued an update on their search for a woman who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

Vitoria Barreto was last seen on March 4 and is believed to have travelled to Brightlingsea after leaving the University of Essex campus in Wivenhoe the previous day.

Essex Police confirmed that a laptop, believed to belong to the 30-year-old, has been found in the town.

Officers have also received reports of possible sightings in the Bradwell area and are following up on these leads.

The search has included police presence in both Bradwell and the wider Dengie peninsula throughout the weekend.

Vitoria’s last known sighting was on CCTV (Image: Essex police)

Police are also exploring the possibility that Ms Barreto may have unmoored a boat from a pontoon in Brightlingsea in the early hours of March 4.

This line of enquiry has become a greater focus after a bag belonging to her was found near Copperas Road on March 9.

The boat was later found drifting near Bradwell-on-Sea and it is believed it was missing a horseshoe-shaped buoyancy aid.

On March 15, Essex Police’s Marine Unit took Ms Barreto’s loved ones on the same boat journey she is believed to have taken in the early hours of March 4.

The Marine Unit crew took the journey Vitoria is believed to have taken (Image: Essex police)

Police searches have been extensive, covering a wide area of land, coastline, and waterways.

In a statement, Ms Barreto’s mother, Gleyz Barreto, said: “I know Vitoria would tell us, ‘don’t give up, please keep going’, so that is what we are doing.

“We are doing everything we can to find her and we know the police and the community are doing everything they can.

“We know Vitoria is probably not feeling herself, she might be scared.

“To anyone who sees her, please make her feel welcome, make her feel loved and help her feel calm.

“We are here for you Vitoria – please come home. You have done nothing wrong and you are loved.”

Vitoria travelled to Brightlingsea after leaving the University of Essex campus in Wivenhoe (Image: Essex police)

Ms Barreto’s family are urging the Brazilian community in Essex to display Brazilian flags.

They hope they will attract her attention and create a safe and welcoming space for her.

Detective Superintendent Granger said: “I would urge anyone with CCTV of the harbour area that we are not already aware of to please check it and let us know.

“Equally, to the owners of boats moored in Brightlingsea, please check your vessels.

“Is there anything there that shouldn’t be there? Is there anything to lead you to believe someone has been on your boat?”

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Barreto was on CCTV at 12:16am on March 4.

Vitoria Barreto has been missing for 12 days (Image: Essex police)

Police estimate there is a 20-minute window, between 12:16am and 12:36am, where her movements are unaccounted for.

Officers believe she may have been in the Brightlingsea Harbour and pontoon areas around that time.

A person, believed to be Ms Barreto, was seen on CCTV jumping over a fence into a boatyard in the early hours of March 4.

She was last seen wearing a dark coat, blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans, and black trainers.

She was carrying a white shoulder bag with the words “people over profit.”

Anyone with information or sightings is urged to contact police by calling 999 and quoting incident 622 of March 4.

Enquiries remain ongoing.