The move comes after volunteers found a cardigan in the area that may have belonged to Mrs Jeffrey.

“An item of clothing was located earlier this week within the search area, and the relevance of this item is currently under enquiry,” a police statement said.

Police said also said the investigation remains active.

“Any information relevant to Angela’s disappearance will be thoroughly investigated and we hope to bring closure to her family” Senior Sergeant Debbie Williams said.

Police now say the last confirmed sighting of Mrs Jeffrey was at her home on Wednesday, June 1. Her car was located in the Bakers Beach area two days later.

David Jeffrey, Angela’s husband, said the Police told him about their move yesterday. Authorities recently used sniffer dogs in the search area and also returned to where the cardigan was found.

“With what they’ve done, they searched they areas where they were and they’ve searched, from what I can see, as good as possible,” Mr Jeffrey said.

“I’m gutted, I want to find her, but it’s not even like a needle in a haystack, it’s like a pin.”

Mr Jeffrey wouldn’t be drawn on whether the cardigan belonged to his wife but said it was a common clothing item.

“It’s one of those things, it’s a brand that’s bought in major stores,” he said. “Yeah, it does look a lot like Angela’s, but without knowing for sure, they can’t do anything else until they know their sure.”

The change in the way the Police are approaching the issue will not affect a planned return to the search area by community members, one organiser said.

“It’s not going to worry us, we’re still going in on Saturday,” Peter Auton said.

Like last week, Mr Auton is asking that able and experienced bushwalkers, and people with quad bikes, consider volunteering. Again, Mr Jeffrey praised the effort.

“The people that are now helping out, they’re just doing a marvelous job,” he said.