Search continues for missing three-year-old boy
Police are continuing their search for a non-verbal autistic three-year-old boy who went missing following a visit to a playground.
The child, called Noah, was last seen at 3pm on Tuesday, Suffolk Police said, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree.
Noah is believed to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new build housing estate, officers said.
The force confirmed the three-year-old is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss.
He is white with curly ginger hair and was wearing a white t-shirt with the TV character Bluey on, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.
Police said specially trained officers and dog units have been searching the village, located near the estuary of the River Stour, since the afternoon.
They have been supported by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, with further support on the ground provided by the Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a vast number of members of the public.
The BBC reported more than 100 people had joined the searches on Tuesday evening.
Police earlier asked local residents to thoroughly check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings or any potential areas where a child might hide.
Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who were driving through the area with a dashcam, are asked to review the footage from 3pm yesterday afternoon onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.
Superintendent Pete Partridge said in a statement: “We are very concerned for Noah’s welfare and need to find him as a matter of urgency.
“A vast number of resources have been deployed by ourselves, our emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR. These resources have been bolstered by members of the public who have turned out in large numbers to assist and we are incredibly grateful for their help and support.
“Given that fast-moving nature of the investigation, it is important that any public searches are coordinated with police to ensure we are working together, and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective.”
He asked local residents not to “put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight”, adding: “We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.”
In a Facebook post just after 5am on Wednesday, Brantham Parish Council said there had been no confirmed sightings of Noah.
“The search for Noah continues this morning,” the post said.
“If you are able to help with the search today, please keep safe and take care of yourselves. Search in pairs where possible, wear high-vis clothing and take extra care around roads, water, woodland and other potentially dangerous areas. Please take a fully charged mobile phone with you.
“Please also check your own property thoroughly, including gardens, sheds, garages, outbuildings, vehicles and under or behind furniture.
“If the police ask you to move away from an area, please follow their instructions. This may be to allow specialist search activity to take place.”
Anyone who thinks they have seen Noah is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.
Published: by Radio NewsHub