A missing man’s cash card has been used to withdraw money in Brighton.
Sussex Police said that Stephen Jones, 52, vanished four weeks ago.
Several personal possessions belonging to Mr Jones were found on a beach in Southend at lunchtime on Friday 30 August.
Since then his cash card has been used at post office cash machines in Brighton on three separate days this month (September).
Sussex Police said that Mr Jones led a nomadic life, visiting various hostels around the south east of England, and was last known to be living in South London.
An Essex Police spokesman said: “At this stage, we’re not sure whether Stephen entered the sea or whether he has left Essex to continue with his life.
“We’re asking anyone who may have seen him to contact us so that we can provide his family with some substantial update.”
When his belongings were found, the police began a missing person investigation with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Anyone with information on Mr Jones’s whereabouts is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.