Major update after boy, 3, disappeared from playground as new picture released

Police have released a new image as they continue their search for a non-verbal autistic three-year-old boy who went missing following a visit to a playground.

The three-year-old, called Noah, was last seen at 3pm on Tuesday, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree.

Noah is believed to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new build housing estate, the police said.

The force confirmed the three-year-old is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss.

He 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.

A search has been underway since the afternoon with specially trained officers and dog units looking around the village, located near the estuary of the River Stour.

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 a vast number of members of the public.

More than 100 people are thought to have joined the searches on Tuesday evening, according to the BBC.

Brantham Parish Council said they were “overwhelmed by the support received from the Brantham community”. In a post on Facebook the council confirmed that the Vilage Hall will be open all night with toilet facilities and drinks id 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 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 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 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.”

Anyone who thinks they have seen Noah is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.