DESPERATE SEARCH FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO VANISHED FROM VILLAGE PLAYGROUND — POLICE URGE LOCALS TO CHECK GARDENS AND SHEDS

A huge search operation is underway for three-year-old Noah after he disappeared from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, leaving police, emergency crews and local volunteers desperately searching through the night.

Three-year-old Noah was last seen at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, after becoming separated from his grandfather at an under-five playground on Merriam Close in Brantham.

According to reports, Noah ran down a footpath beside the playground before disappearing from sight.

His grandfather was unable to catch him, prompting an immediate search.

 POLICE LAUNCH HUGE SEARCH

Suffolk Police quickly launched a major operation involving emergency services and members of the local community.

Firefighters searched around vehicles, gardens and walls, while Coastguard rescue teams and a search-and-rescue helicopter were also deployed.

The surrounding area includes woodland, thick vegetation, open fields, a fishing lake and a railway line, creating a wide and challenging search area. Trains on the nearby line were also slowed as a precaution.

As darkness fell, local residents continued searching the village and surrounding areas.

NOAH MAY NOT RESPOND TO HIS NAME

Police described Noah as a white three-year-old boy with curly ginger hair.

At the time he disappeared, he was wearing:

• A white Bluey T-shirt
• Shorts
• White trainers

Noah is reported to be partially deaf, non-verbal and autistic, and police warned that he may not respond if his name is called.

That information has made the search particularly urgent.

 POLICE ASK RESIDENTS TO CHECK THEIR PROPERTY

Suffolk Constabulary is asking people living in the area to check places where a small child could potentially be hidden from view.

Residents have been urged to search their:

Gardens. Sheds. Outbuildings.

Authorities are also asking anyone who believes they may have seen Noah to contact police immediately.

 FATHER MAKES A DESPERATE APPEAL

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, thanked members of the public who had joined the search.

He also asked people not to enter the Decoy Pond area because it had already been thoroughly searched and large numbers of people could interfere with specialist infrared searches.

His message was simple: keep looking, but allow trained teams to continue their work.

THE SEARCH CONTINUES

As the operation continues, police and emergency crews are working alongside members of the community to try to locate Noah.

At the time of the latest reports, there had been no confirmed sighting of him after he disappeared.

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

For Noah’s family, every minute matters.

A three-year-old boy is missing — and an entire community is searching for him.