Hundreds of members of the public have joined the search for a three-year-old boy who vanished following a visit to a village playground.
A massive police operation is under way in Brantham, Suffolk looking for the little boy called Noah, who became separated from a relative after a trip to the play area in Merriam Close at 3pm on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, volunteers could be seen in hi-vis jackets helping to search the area, with efforts being co-ordinated from the village hall and a local leisure centre.
They are part of a massive search operation led by police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue teams, with sniffer dogs being used and a helicopter flying overhead.
It is thought that Noah ran off down an alleyway beside the playground towards a nearby new-build housing estate.
The surrounding area includes woods and a pond and is near the River Stour and a railway.
Noah 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.
He is non-verbal and has partial hearing loss. He is being assessed for autism, and will not respond to his name if called, Suffolk police said.
Noah’s father posted on social media asking volunteers to widen their search beyond the village where possible.
He wrote: “I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone, please don’t give up on him guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”
Advice from Brantham Parish Council to volunteers included: “You are looking for a frightened three year old. Think about slight movements in your peripheral, high and low, tiny small spaces use all your senses whilst searching.”
They have been told not to grab or approach Noah if they find him, but instead to call police on 999 immediately and give their exact location using the What3Words app.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge said on X that he and the local police force are “incredibly grateful to the community and all of the volunteers for their help with the search for missing Noah”, and confirmed that more police resources had been sent to the village on Wednesday morning.
In an earlier entry he called the toddler’s disappearance “incredibly concerning”, adding “I simply can’t imagine what his family and loved ones are going through, but they will be in the thoughts of us all”.
Police earlier asked local residents to check their gardens thoroughly, sheds and outbuildings or any potential areas where a child might hide.
Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who was 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 (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue). 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 co-ordinated 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 hi-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.
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