The father of missing three-year-old Noah Woods has issued a desperate appeal for help as police cordoned off a lake during an extensive search for the toddler in Suffolk.
The large-scale search for Noah has entered its second day after he disappeared in Brantham, Suffolk. The three-year-old, who is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss, was last seen at around 3pm on Tuesday (September 15), when he became separated from a relative after visiting a playground. It is believed Noah ran down an alleyway beside the playground towards a nearby new-build housing estate.
Police cordon off Decoy Pond
Police have been seen cordoning off the nearby Decoy Pond, as well as an adjacent wooded area, with officers declaring the locations "out of bounds" to members of the public.
Amid the ongoing search, Noah's dad Rhys issued a plea to broaden the hunt for his son, saying he "cannot go another night knowing he's out there alone", reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a post, he wrote: "Please don't give up on him guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you."
Search operation and resources
He said that "high risk areas" near where Noah went missing - a pond and railway lines - had been searched by emergency services who are confident Noah is not there. Today, volunteers could be seen in hi-vis jackets helping to search the area, with efforts being coordinated from the village hall and a local leisure centre.
They are part of a massive search operation led by police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue teams. Sniffer dogs are also being used and a helicopter flying overhead.
Description and public appeal
Noah 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. People have been urged not to grab or approach Noah if they find him, but instead to call police on 999 immediately and give their exact location using the What3Words app.
Advice from Brantham Parish Council to volunteers included: "You are looking for a frightened three year old. Think about slight movements in your peripheral, high and low, tiny small spaces use all your senses whilst searching."
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge said on X that he and the local police force are "incredibly grateful to the community and all of the volunteers for their help with the search for missing Noah", and confirmed that more police resources had been sent to the village on Wednesday morning.
In an earlier entry he called the toddler's disappearance "incredibly concerning", adding "I simply can't imagine what his family and loved ones are going through, but they will be in the thoughts of us all."
Police earlier asked local residents to check their gardens thoroughly, sheds and outbuildings or any potential areas where a child might hide. Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who was 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 (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue).
"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 co-ordinated with police to ensure we are working together, and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective."
