DESPERATE SEARCH ENTERS SECOND DAY FOR MISSING THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY — UP TO 1,000 LOCALS JOIN THE HUNT

Noah Woods disappeared from a Suffolk playground after becoming separated from his grandfather. There have still been no confirmed sightings of the little boy.

The desperate search for three-year-old Noah Woods has entered a second day, with police, emergency crews and a huge number of local volunteers continuing to scour the area where the little boy disappeared.

Noah was last seen at around 3pm on Tuesday, September 15, after becoming separated from a relative at the Merriam Close playground in Brantham, Suffolk.

He is described as partially deaf, autistic and non-verbal, meaning he may not respond if his name is called.

NO CONFIRMED SIGHTINGS

According to a late-night update from Brantham Parish Council, there had been no sightings of Noah as the search continued through the night.

The youngster is believed to have run down an alleyway beside the playground towards a new-build housing estate.

The surrounding area includes woodland, fields, a railway line and Decoy Pond, prompting emergency teams to search a wide area around the village.

 LOCALS RALLY TO HELP

The scale of the community response has been enormous.

Hundreds of people joined emergency services in the search, while Brantham Parish Council clerk Sarah Keys estimated that up to 1,000 local people may have taken part.

Volunteers were eventually asked to stand down for the night and allow specialist teams to continue their work.

Police dog units and thermal-imaging equipment were deployed, while Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue teams also assisted in the operation.

A Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook were also sent to assist Suffolk Police.

POLICE URGE RESIDENTS TO CHECK THEIR HOMES

Police have made an urgent appeal to people living in and around Brantham.

Residents have been asked to check their gardens, sheds, outbuildings and other possible hiding places, as well as reviewing CCTV, doorbell-camera and dashcam footage recorded from around the time Noah disappeared.

Officers have also warned members of the public not to conduct independent searches in dangerous areas, asking volunteers to coordinate with police so specialist teams can work effectively.

 WHAT NOAH WAS WEARING

Suffolk Police described Noah as:

• A white boy
• Curly ginger hair
• Wearing a white Bluey T-shirt
• Shorts
• White trainers

Anyone who believes they may have seen him is urged to contact 999, quoting CAD 203 of September 15.

 A VILLAGE REFUSES TO GIVE UP

As darkness fell, volunteers continued searching despite the lack of any confirmed sighting.

The parish council said it had been overwhelmed by the support from the Brantham community and people who had travelled from elsewhere to help.

But police have stressed that the search must remain coordinated, particularly as specialist equipment and trained teams work through woodland and other difficult terrain.

For Noah’s family, the wait continues.

And with the search now entering its second day, police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information, CCTV footage or a possible sighting to come forward immediately.

Anyone who sees Noah or believes they have information about his whereabouts should call 999 and quote CAD 203 of September 15.