Massive search in Suffolk for 3-year-old missing from playground, police and hundreds of volunteers on the ground

Almost 24 hours have passed since Noah Woods, 3, was last seen at a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, while search operations continue without any concrete trace.

The child lost contact with his grandfather around 3 p.m. on September 15 while they were at the playground on Merriam Close. According to official information, Noah ran into a narrow alley near the playground, towards a new residential area, and has not been seen since.

Searches have continued throughout the night, involving police forces, rescue teams, local residents and volunteers. Local media report that up to 1,000 people have joined efforts to find the child.

Authorities have extended the search area to all of Brantham, including a residential area, a lake and a railway line near where Noah was last seen.

Members of the Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue team have used a boat to check Decoy Lake, after receiving information that the child might have headed to that area. Specialized police dogs and thermal imaging cameras have also been deployed in the operation to capture any possible sign of the 3-year-old’s presence.

A coastguard helicopter has overseen the area from the air, while rescue teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook have joined ground searches.

Travelers using trains between Manningtree and Ipswich have been notified that trains will run at reduced speed due to the search operation taking place near the tracks.

Police have asked local residents to carefully check their properties, including gardens, barns, garages, outbuildings and vehicles, as the child may have hidden somewhere unnoticed.

Authorities are also urging people who own security cameras, doorbell cameras or vehicle cameras to review their footage from 3 p.m. on Tuesday onwards.

Police have asked volunteers not to interfere with the work of specialist teams during checks in certain areas. According to authorities, the large number of people in woods and other areas could hinder the use of police dogs, thermal cameras and other equipment, and could disturb any tracks the child might have left.

Volunteers have been asked to respect police instructions and, if they continue searches independently, to always move in pairs and avoid areas that present danger.

Noah is described by police as a child with curly red hair. At the time he disappeared, he was wearing a white t-shirt with the character ‘Bluey’, shorts and white trainers.

Authorities have disclosed that Noah does not speak, has partial hearing loss and is in the process of being assessed for autism. For this reason, police are asking the public to report immediately if they have any information about his whereabouts or movements.