Search under way for three-year-old boy missing from Suffolk playground

More than 100 people reported to have joined search for Noah, who is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss

Police are urging people to check their gardens and sheds for a three-year-old boy who went missing on Tuesday during a visit to a playground near the Suffolk-Essex border.

The boy, named Noah, was last seen at 3pm in Merriam Close in Brantham, near Manningtree, before being separated from a relative. Officers from Suffolk constabulary said Noah was reported to have run down an alleyway near the playground towards a housing estate.

He is described as white, with curly ginger hair and was wearing shorts, white trainers and a white T-shirt featuring an illustration of the TV character Bluey. Police also confirmed that Noah is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss.

The BBC reported that more than 100 people had joined in the search efforts by Tuesday evening and that train services between Manningtree and Ipswich were running at reduced speed while searches continued.

Police have cordoned off the alleyway and there were reports of door-to-door inquiries in the area.

A spokesperson for Suffolk constabulary said late on Tuesday: “Emergency services are currently in Brantham conducting searches. Residents in the area are asked to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings.”

A coastguard helicopter was also seen circling the village, which is near the estuary of the River Stour, and there were reports of sightings of drones flying overhead.

Anyone who believes that they have seen Noah is being asked to contact Suffolk police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.