Police have released a new image Noah was last seen at 3pm on Tuesday, when he went missing from the playground
Police have issued a fresh image as they intensify their search for a non-verbal autistic three-year-old boy who disappeared after a trip to a playground.
The toddler, named Noah, was last spotted at 3pm on Tuesday, when he became separated from a family member following a visit to the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree.
It’s believed that Noah ran off down the alleyway next to the playground towards the newly built housing estate, according to police.
Authorities confirmed that the three-year-old is autistic, non-verbal and suffers from partial hearing loss.
He is white with curly ginger hair and was dressed in a white t-shirt featuring the TV character Bluey, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.
A search operation has been ongoing since the afternoon, with specialist officers and dog units scouring the village, situated near the estuary of the River Stour.
They’ve been backed up by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, with additional ground support provided by the Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a large number of local residents.
Over 100 individuals are estimated to have joined the search efforts on Tuesday evening, the BBC reports.
Brantham Parish Council expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from the local community. In a Facebook post, the council confirmed that the Village Hall would remain open throughout the night, providing toilet facilities and refreshments if needed.
The statement continued: “The emergency services will be continuing their search throughout the night.
“We advise members of the community to get some rest and we will reconvene in the morning at 5am to continue the search.”
Police earlier urged 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 urged 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.”
Anyone who believes they have spotted Noah is urged to get in touch with Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.