Summary

  • Hundreds of people continue to take part in the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, who went missing from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk on Tuesday afternoon - what we know so far

  • Police have released CCTV footage showing the toddler playing - the last sighting before he disappeared

  • Suffolk Police say 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"

  • Noah, who is partially deaf and non-verbal, was with a relative before he went missing. He is unlikely to respond to his name being called, police say

  • Residents are being asked to check CCTV or doorbell cameras for any sightings of the boy, as well as sheds and outbuildings

  • Volunteers continue to turn up to join the search, with the queue to register snaking through the village, our reporter on the scene writes

  • Police have asked them to avoid open water and railways, and not to use drones - and if anyone finds Noah they are asked to call 999

Live Reporting

Written by George King. Edited by Christiana Bishop

  1. Volunteers 'will not rest' until Noah is found

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    Here at Brantham Leisure Centre, hundreds of volunteers have gathered to help in the search for missing Noah, with people travelling from as far as Hampshire and Birmingham to lend a hand.

    Brantham Parish Council says at least 1,000 volunteers have helped so far in the search for Noah, and police say the little boy’s family are blown away by the support.

    The mood here is determined and hopeful, with volunteers preparing to head out again and help with the search.

    Volunteers say they will not rest until the little boy is found.

  2. 'We hope he gets home safe'

    Richard Daniel
    in Brantham

    A head and shoulders image of a woman wearing a grey hooded top and standing near a road in front of a hedge. She is looking into the camera.Richard Daniel/BBC

    Carmel Martin, from East Bergholt, Suffolk, says she has been part of the search team looking for Noah.

    She felt compelled to help because of his age and the thought of "him being out there all on his own all night".

    "It's really worrying and it has upset us, but it is nice how everybody's got together - I think it's brilliant," she said.

    "Hopefully he gets home safe to his mum and dad."

  3. Queue to join search snakes around village

    Nick Johnson
    in Brantham

    A line of people outside a red brick building. A high-visibility jacket is visible in the foreground.

    Volunteers continue to turn up to join the search for Noah. Some are wearing high-visibility jackets, others have brought hiking gear and backpacks.

    They have been told to register at Brantham's village hall, where they are given a map and a designated search area

    The queue to join the search has been snaking around the village for the past couple of hours.

    Police have welcomed the community support, but have urged volunteers to stay away from open water and other hazardous areas.

  4. Noah’s family ‘blown away by support’

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    A young boy with ginger hair smiling while resting his head against a grey bed headboardFamily handout

    I’m here at Brantham Leisure Centre where Supt Tom Pearse has just told the press and public that Noah's family are "extremely grateful" for the support which has been shown from the volunteers.

    "I want to pass on the thanks of Noah's family. They are unbelievably grateful and blown away by your support,” he said.

    A police officer addresses a large group of journalists in a village hall. Some of the journalist are holding camera and recording equipment.Charlie Jones/BBC

    Brantham Parish Council said 1,000 volunteers have been involved with the search so far and more continuing to arrive.

  5. Plea to rein in food and drink donations

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    A large crowd of people - men and women of all ages - gathered together inside a village hall-style building. Some of them have dogs and others are wearing high-visibility jackets.Charlie Jones/BBC

    There are hundreds of volunteers still turning up at Brantham Leisure Centre, where Sarah Keys from Brantham Parish Council is co-ordinating the efforts.

    She told the crowd that the next community briefing will be at 09:30 BST on Thursday.

    She asked people to stop donating food and drink for volunteers as they are “inundated”.

  6. Noah's disappearance: What we know so far

    An aerial view of the map of the area around Brantham. Including Manningtree, Cattawade, Merriam Close playground and the River Stour.

    Three-year-old Noah Woods was at a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, with a relative on Tuesday, but the pair "became separated" when they left before 15:00 BST.

    It is reported that Noah ran off down an alleyway towards a housing estate.

    The three-year-old is non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and is undergoing an autism assessment. He is wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.

    Suffolk Police says Noah would not respond to his name being called.

    The search efforts

    Police officers have been searching overnight, extending the search area into the nearby villages of Manningtree, Essex, and East Bergholt, Suffolk.

    The force has deployed dog units, specially trained officers and its search efforts have been joined by HM Coastguard, the fire service and local search and rescue teams.

    Hundreds of people have arrived at Brantham Village Hall to help efforts. Police have asked them to avoid open waters and railways in their searches as these areas require "special expertise".

    "I just saw the news and needed to come down and help," Melissa Dark, a local mother-of-two, told the BBC.

    CCTV release

    This afternoon, Suffolk Police released CCTV of the last confirmed sighting of Noah in the park in Brantham at 14:37 BST on Tuesday.

    The video shows the three-year-old spinning and running around a roundabout.

    Latest from the police

    Supt Tom Pearse of Suffolk Police said there was "nothing to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality has taken place although we keep an open mind as to the circumstances".

    He asked the public to check gardens, sheds and outbuildings, while asking drivers to review dashcam footage and residents to review CCTV from 14:37 BST on Tuesday onward.

    People with information can call a dedicated police phone line on 0800 0516076.

  7. Police thank 'special community' for its help

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    Crowds of people, some in fluorescent high-visibility vests, gather as they are addressed by Supt Tom Pearse from Suffolk Police.Charlie Jones/BBC

    After Supt Tom Pearse briefed reporters, he went downstairs to talk to members of the public who have gathered at the leisure centre.

    "I give my heartfelt thanks to all of you coming out here today. From what I have seen, it is an unbelievably special community. You have demonstrated that by the way you have all come together.

    "I want to pass on the thanks of Noah's family. They are unbelievably grateful and blown away by your support."

  8. Police keeping an open mind over disappearance

    Supt Tom Pearse stands in a police uniform in a brightly-lit room.

    Supt Tom Pearse says the force is keeping an open mind over Noah's disappearance, which is being treated as a missing person investigation at this stage.

    He says 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".

    Supt Pearse says a number of people had contacted the force about finding children's hats and toys.

    However, he says as far as the force is aware Noah was not wearing any hats or carrying any other items when he was last seen.

    A major incident public portal has been set up for people to submit any information directly to the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk investigation team.

    Pearse has advised people with information to call a dedicated phone line on: 0800 0516076.

  9. Volunteers asked to stay away from water

    Supt Tom Pearse reads from an iPad while standing in uniform behind several microphones.

    Supt Tom Pearse begins his update by saying he and Noah's family are "extremely grateful" for the support which has been shown from the public.

    He also gives his thanks to emergency service colleagues and search partners, and asks people to avoid open waters and railways in their search - as these areas require "specialist and professional expertise".

    Pearse then asks for personal drones not to be used in searches.

  10. Police giving update on search for Noah Woods - watch live above

    Pearse speaks in a police uniform in front of windows and a white wall

    Suffolk Police is giving an update on the search for three-year-old Noah Woods.

    We will be bringing you updates here and you can watch it live at the top of this page.

  11. Watch: Aerial footage of search for Noah

    Aerial video shows search under way

  12. Police grateful for public help with search

    Police have also asked thanked the hundreds of people who have helped in the search for Noah.

    Supt Tom Pearse said: "We are extremely grateful to 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.

    "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 inquiries and search activity as effectively as possible."

  13. 'Nothing to indicate anything sinister,' say police

    Suffolk Police says there is nothing to indicate any criminality was involved in Noah's disappearance.

    Images and CCTV footage have been released showing him at the playground in Merriman Close, shortly before he went missing.

    Supt Tom Pearse said: “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."

  14. Noah Woods: What we know so far

    A picture of Noah Woods, a little boy with curly ginger hair. He is sitting on a bed which has a grey headboard and is looking directly at the camera and smiling.Family handout

    It has been almost 24 hours since three-year-old Noah Woods went missing in the village of Brantham, in Suffolk. Here's what we know so far:

    • Noah had been visiting a playground in Merriman Close in Brantham with a relative on Tuesday. However, he became separated as they left at about 15:00 BST
    • It is reported that the boy ran off down an alleyway beside the playground towards a new-build housing estate
    • Noah is described by police as being white, with curly ginger hair. He was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe
    • He is said to be non-verbal with partial hearing loss and is undergoing an autism assessment. Police have said he will not respond to his name
    • Suffolk Police searched throughout the night with specially trained officers and dog units. It has been supported by HM Coastguard, the fire service and Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue
    • Hundreds of people have volunteered and given up their time to help with the search efforts
    • Residents have been asked to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings for potential hiding areas
    • People with CCTV or doorbell cameras have been asked to review the footage and motorists travelling through the village have also been asked to check dashcams
    • This morning, a major incident public portal was set up for people to submit any information to the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk investigation team
    • Areas of the village have been cordoned off while the force continues its search
    • A short while ago, Suffolk Police revealed the last confirmed sighting of Noah was from CCTV in the park at 14:37 BST on Tuesday

  15. Moving footage of Noah's last sighting released by police

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    CCTV footage shows Noah's last sighting

    Police have just put out a statement confirming the last sighting of Noah Woods was from CCTV in the playground at 14:37 yesterday. Officers have released moving footage of his last known movements.

    Supt Tom Pearse 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.

    "We continue to call on local residents to please check your gardens, sheds and outbuildings, or any other place a child may have be hidden or sought shelter.

    "Please also review CCTV or doorbell cameras, and for motorists travelling in and around Brantham to review any dashcam footage from 3pm yesterday."

  16. CCTV shows Noah at playground
    Breaking

    Suffolk Police has issued CCTV footage showing Noah Woods at a playground in Brantham, before he went missing.

    CCTV of Noah Woods at a playgroundSuffolk Police

  17. Listen: The search continues for Noah Woods

    Search continues for boy missing from playground.

  18. Volunteers split to cover field

    Zoie O'Brien
    in Brantham

    There’s at least 60 people currently walking the edges of the fields behind the housing estate where Noah was seen nearby yesterday.

    The groups have been split into those happy to cover difficult terrain and those to take pathways.

    In the distance groups of people are walking the perimeter of a field.Zoie O'Brien/BBC
    A group of women searching along a field in the search for Noah Woods.Zoie O'Brien/BBC
    A group of volunteers in fluorescent hi-vis vests searching a field.Zoie O'Brien/BBC

  19. Verges filled with cars as search continues

    Richard Daniel

    On the A134 approaching Brantham there are cars parked in every lay-by and on every verge as members of the public continue to help with the search for Noah.

    Cars parked in a lay-bay near Brantham as the search for Noah Woods continues.Richard Daniel/BBC

  20. 'We live near the playground,' says volunteer searcher

    Charlie Jones
    in Brantham

    Two women looking at the camera. The woman on the right has a baby in her armsCharlie Jones/BBC

    Stella Smith (left) is from Brantham and arrived at the village hall earlier with her niece Sian, who had her baby boy with her.

    They said they were out searching last night and came back this morning to carry on.

    "I live across the road from the park where Noah went missing and we go to that park all the time so I just wanted to do my bit to help," said Sian.