Mum of toddler who vanished on Greek island confirms ‘devastating step backwards’

18 May 2026 • 8:51 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Mum of toddler who vanished on Greek island confirms ‘devastating step backwards’

  • The mother of Ben Needham, who vanished as a toddler in Kos in 1991, has expressed devastation after South Yorkshire Police informed her they would no longer actively investigate his disappearance.
  • Ben, then 21 months old, went missing on the Greek island while staying with his grandparents, and his mother, Kerry Needham, has been searching for answers ever since.
  • Needham said she was told by South Yorkshire Police that Greek authorities now have full primacy over the investigation, though SYP will continue to provide a Family Liaison Officer and a detective as a point of contact.
  • Ms Needham believes this decision is a “devastating step backwards” and fears that without SYP's active involvement, the case will not be properly pursued by Greek police.
  • She is urging the public to contact South Yorkshire Police and Sir Keir Starmer to advocate for the case to remain actively investigated by the UK force.

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