Police ‘very concerned’ for welfare of missing 3-year-old

Police are “very concerned” for an autistic three-year-old who has been missing since Tuesday afternoon.

The boy, named Noah, was last seen at 3pm while visiting a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, Suffolk.

He became separated from a relative, and is believed to have run off down an alleyway next to the playground, towards a new-build housing estate, officers said.

Noah is described as white with curly ginger hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt with the TV character Bluey on, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.

He is autistic, non-verbal, and has partial hearing loss.

Police said that specially trained officers and dog units have been searching the village, located near the estuary of the River Stour, since Tuesday 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 members of the public.

The BBC reported that 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 on Tuesday onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.

“We are very concerned for Noah’s welfare and need to find him as a matter of urgency,” Superintendent Pete Partridge said.

“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.”

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.