Police are urgently appealing for help to locate Noah, who was last seen at approximately 3pm yesterday afternoon, Tuesday September 15. Noah is reported to have run off down an alleyway after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham.

In a new update issued by police at around 1am this morning they confirmed 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.

Police have been searching for Noah since yesterday afternoon, including specially trained officers and dog units. These searches have been assisted by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, with further support on the ground provided by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a vast number of members of the public.

The youngster became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Suffolk Police said. Now more than 100 people are said to have joined the searches, the BBC reports.

A police spokesperson commented on the original Facebook post: “Thank you all for your comments, it is overwhelming to read the support people are offering.

“I apologise that we haven’t been able to reply sooner however I am sure you appreciate the volume of resources that are assisting with this and the sheer volume of contact from the public that our staff and officers are dealing with.

“As soon as there is any update, we will post on here. Thank you again.”

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “We are assisting Suffolk Constabulary with an incident at Brantham by sending an HM Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook.”

Anyone who believes they have seen Noah is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September. The force can be contacted on its website or by calling 101. Alternatively, you can use the Live Chat service by clicking the icon at the bottom right corner of the Suffolk Police homepage here.

Police are asking local residents to thoroughly check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings, or any potential areas where a child might hide away. Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village are asked to review the footage from 3pm yesterday afternoon onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.

The same is also asked of anyone driving through Brantham with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle.

Superintendent Pete Partridge said: “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.

“We therefore ask that people do not put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight. We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/