Missing boy separated from relative after visiting playground
Noah has been missing since Tuesday.(Image: Suffolk Police)
Police have provided an update on the search for a missing non-verbal autistic three-year-old in Suffolk.
The child, named Noah, was last seen at 3pm on Tuesday (September 15), Suffolk Police said, when he became separated from a relative after visiting a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree.
Officers said Noah allegedly fled down an alley near the playground toward a new apartment complex. Police confirmed that the three-year-old child suffers from autism, speechlessness and partial hearing loss.
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Noah, who is white with curly red hair, was wearing a white T-shirt with the TV character Bluey, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe when he went missing.
Specially trained officers and dog units have been searching the village, near the mouth of the River Stour, since yesterday.
Police support in the search is being provided by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and Her Majesty’s Coast Guard. Further support is provided by the Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue and a huge number of members of the public.
Earlier, police asked local residents to thoroughly check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings, as well as any potential places where the child could be hiding.
Anyone with private CCTV cameras or doorbells in the village, or who have driven through the area with dash cam, are asked to review footage from 3pm yesterday for any possible sightings of Noah.
Superintendent Pete Partridge said in a statement: “We are very concerned for Noah’s welfare and must find him as a matter of urgency.
“A huge amount of resources were deployed by us, our emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR. These resources were supported by members of the public who turned out in large numbers to help and we are incredibly grateful for their help and support.
“Given the fast-paced nature of the investigation, it is important that any public searches are coordinated with police to ensure we work together and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective.”
The superintendent noted that residents should not “put themselves at risk or conduct independent searches overnight,” adding, “We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our search and investigation.”
Just after 5am on Wednesday (September 16), a Facebook post from Brantham Parish Council said there had been no confirmed sightings of Noah.
The message said: “The search for Noah continues this morning. If you can help with the search today, please stay safe and safe.”
“Where possible, search in pairs, wear reflective clothing and take extra care on roads, near water, in woods and other potentially dangerous areas. Please take a fully charged mobile phone with you.”
“Please also thoroughly check your property, including gardens, sheds, garages, outbuildings, vehicles and under or behind furniture. If police ask you to leave an area, follow their instructions. This may be to allow special search efforts to be carried out.”
Anyone who thinks they have seen Noah is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.