The search for missing three-year-old Noah Woods has entered its second day, with police cordoning off a pond and surrounding woodland in Brantham, Suffolk, as hundreds of volunteers join the effort to find him.
Noah, who is non-verbal and partially deaf and is being assessed for autism, disappeared at about 3pm on Tuesday after visiting a playground in Merriam Close, near his home.
He is believed to have become separated from a relative before running down an alleyway towards a new-build housing estate. The route leads towards Decoy Pond and a railway line.
Police sealed off Decoy Pond and a footpath beside the playground on Wednesday morning. A helicopter was seen circling overhead, while officers also restricted access to a nearby wooded area to allow specialist searches to take place.
Suffolk Police said Noah is white, has curly ginger hair and was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and trainers. Residents have been asked to check gardens, sheds, garages, vehicles and outbuildings, and to review CCTV and doorbell-camera footage.
Volunteers join search for Noah Woods
Hundreds of people gathered at Brantham Village Hall to receive instructions before being divided into groups. Those considered fit enough were allocated muddy tracks and fields, while others searched paved areas around the village.
Parish clerk Sarah Keys told volunteers: “Please remember we are searching for a frightened three-year-old boy.”
Searchers have been told not to approach or grab Noah if they find him, but to call 999 immediately and provide their exact location using the What3Words app.
Ms Keys said about 500 people had stayed up overnight to continue looking, with around 1,000 people taking part at one point. The village hall remained open through the night and maps were printed for those joining the search.
Search teams from Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, police dog units and Environment Agency officers have been involved. A boat was used on Decoy Pond, while thermal imaging equipment was deployed in woodland.
Brantham Parish Council urged residents not to enter the railway line or Decoy Pond because specialist searches were under way. It also advised volunteers to search in pairs, wear high-visibility clothing and take particular care near roads, water and woodland.
Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, appealed for people to keep looking. In a message to the public, he said: “We still have nothing, all the emergency services and all of you have shown how strong this community is, with people coming from far and wide also.”
He added: “This means knowing our boy, he has gone even further, could I ask that all of you brilliant people out there today expand further if you are able to?”
Mr Woods said: “I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone, please don’t give up on him guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”
Superintendent Pete Partridge said police were “very concerned for Noah’s welfare” and needed to find him “as a matter of urgency”. He said the large public response was appreciated, but stressed that searches needed to be co-ordinated with officers so resources could be used effectively.
Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore urged members of the public not to search alone and to follow directions from those organising the response.
Police said there had been no confirmed sightings of Noah. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is being asked to contact Suffolk Police.
