Suffolk Police has shared CCTV footage of missing 3-year-old Noah Woods just moments before he vanished, as hundreds continue a desperate search.
The force confirmed the last sighting of Noah was from CCTV in the park at 2.37pm yesterday afternoon, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham.
Noah, who is non-verbal and partially deaf, is believed to have run off down an alleyway beside the playground towards a nearby new-build housing estate.
Since Noah was reported missing, officers have deployed specialist search officers and dog units, with hundreds of volunteers from the area and across the country travelling to join the search.
Efforts have been assisted by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard.
Additional assistance on the ground has been provided by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue, and a significant number of members of the public.
Superintendent Tom Pearse this afternoon said: “It has now been around 24 hours since Noah was reported as missing to us and we are doing everything we can to find him.
“We are extremely grateful for the support shown by the public. If you are helping, please report into the co-ordination centre to ensure the search continues to be done in a systematic and co-ordinated fashion.
Police release CCTV of missing Noah Woods just moments before he vanished
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SUFFOLK POLICE
“This will ensure we can carefully plan and take account of people supporting the search. We politely ask people to avoid open waters and railways – these are areas that require specialist and professional expertise.
“We also ask that personal drones are not used as these can interfere with specialist search equipment.
“There may also be times when officers may need to restrict access to certain areas or move away from search locations. Please do not be offended if this happens; it is necessary to allow us to carry out our enquiries and search activity as effectively as possible.
“There may also be times when officers may need to restrict access to certain areas or move away from search locations. Please do not be offended if this happens; it is necessary to allow us to carry out our enquiries and search activity as effectively as possible.
CCTV footage shows Noah Woods just moments before he vanished
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SUFFOLK POLICE
“This is being treated as a missing person investigation at this stage and there is nothing to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality has taken place although we keep an open mind as to the circumstances.”
Police echoed the call for residents to continue to check gardens, sheds and outbuildings, or any other place Noah may have be hidden or sought shelter.
They also renewed the urge to review CCTV or doorbell cameras, and for motorists travelling in and around Brantham to review any dashcam footage from 3pm yesterday.
Anyone with information is encouraged to inform Sussex Police via the public portal, and the public can also call on 0800 051 6076 to report any related important information.
He is believed to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards nearby new-build housing estate
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SUFFOLK POLICE
The force said: “Please note if you see Noah you should phone 999.”
Officers are continuing to review CCTV and doorbell footage, while further house-to-house enquiries are to be conducted, the force said.
Additional foot, aerial and thermal searches are also planned throughout the day.
Noah is described as non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and is currently undergoing an assessment for autism.
“As a result of these vulnerabilities, he will not respond to his name”, the force said.
He is described as white, with curly ginger hair, wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.