Search continues for boy, 3, missing from playground

A search is continuing for a three-year-old boy who went missing at a playground.

Police said Noah was at the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, Suffolk, at 3pm on Tuesday.

He is reported to have run off down an alleyway alongside the playground towards a new-build housing estate.

Noah is described as white, with curly ginger hair and wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and white trainers.

Suffolk Police confirmed the three-year-old is non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and has been undergoing an assessment for autism.

Residents in the area have been asked to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings.

Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who were driving through the area with a dashcam, are being asked to review the footage from 3pm yesterday onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.

Police said efforts to find Noah are being assisted by other emergency services, including the coastguard and volunteers from Suffolk Lowland Search And Rescue (SULSAR).

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."

HM Coastguard said in a statement: "HM Coastguard assisted Suffolk Constabulary with an incident at Brantham by sending an HM Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook."

Brantham Leisure Centre urged people living nearby to carry out checks, saying on Facebook: "We have no updates confirming the safe return of Noah. We urge you all to check your gardens, neighbours gardens and behind bins/cars."

James Cartlidge, the Tory MP for South Suffolk, said it was "incredibly concerning" to hear about Noah.

In a post on social media, he urged anyone with information to contact the police and added: "I simply can't imagine what his family and loved ones are going through, but they will be in the thoughts of us all."

(c) Sky News 2026: Search continues for boy, 3, missing from playground