LIVE updates: Police give heartbreaking update amid search for missing three-year-old Noah Woods
The body of a child has been found in a pond amid a search for three-year-old Noah Woods who went missing in Suffolk.
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The three-year-old was last seen at 3pm on Tuesday at a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham.
Several hundred volunteers as well as teams from the police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue had joined the desperate hunt for the toddler, who ran down an alleyway and disappeared.
Police said the discovery is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
Follow our live blog for the latest.
Noah's family informed, police say
Superintendent Tom Pearse confirmed Noah’s family had been informed of the discovery.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him,” he told journalists at Brantham Leisure Centre.
He added the family now need “time, space and privacy”.
He went on: “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support and people putting on their boots to help us with this search.
“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help, and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heartwarming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place.”
Police statement
Superintendent Tom Pearse said: “These five teams this afternoon have sadly found a body of a child in Decoy Pond in Brantham.
“Formal identification is yet to take place. The family of Noah Woods has been informed of these developments.
“The discovery of the body is currently being treated as not suspicious but unexplained. The coroner will be informed of this development.”
Body of child found amid search for missing toddler Noah Woods
A body of a child has been found amid a search for missing toddler Noah Woods, 3, Suffolk Police have announced.
Woods - who's non-verbal and partially deaf - was last seen yesterday at a playground in Brantham.
Police press conference imminent
Suffolk Police are due to hold a press conference soon where they will provide an update on the missing three-year-old.
South Suffolk MP hails 'amazing community response' to 'utterly appalling' event
James Cartlidge, Shadow Defence Sec and MP for South Suffolk, has spoken to LBC about the "amazing community response".
He told Shelagh Fogarty: "There is a vast number of people who have turned up. It's quite incredible, actually.
"Of course, this is utterly, utterly appalling. It's, you know, it's very difficult to put into words for some people the thought of what's going on.
"However, at the same time, it's an amazing community response."
Latest police statement in full
Here is Supt Tom Pearse's statement in full:
“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.
“This will ensure we can carefully plan and take account of people supporting the search.
“We politely ask people to avoid open waters and railways – these are areas that require specialist and professional expertise. We also ask that personal drones are not used as these can interfere with specialist search equipment.
“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.”
He went on to say that, while police have received a number of calls about children’s toys and hats, Noah was not carrying anything or wearing a hat when he vanished.
Family 'blown away' by support
At a press conference, Supt Tom Pearse said Noah's family are "extremely grateful" for the support shown from volunteers.
He added: "I want to pass on the thanks of Noah's family.
"They are unbelievably grateful and blown away by your support,” he said.
'Nothing to indicate anything sinister' say police as they release CCTV of Noah in playground
Police searching for missing Noah have released CCTV of him in the playground playing at a merry-go-round moments before he disappeared.
In an update today, Suffolk Police said that he was last seen in the park is at 2:37pm yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 15 September, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close.
Images and CCTV footage of Noah’s last movements at the playpark have now been released.
Superintendent 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.
"This will ensure we can carefully plan and take account of people supporting the search. We politely ask people to avoid open waters and railways – these are areas that require specialist and professional expertise. We also ask that personal drones are not used as these can interfere with specialist search equipment.
“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 enquiries and search activity as effectively as possible.
“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 enquiries and search activity as effectively as possible.
“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.
“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.”
Lake cordoned off by police
Brantham Parish council told search volunteers to avoid Decoy Pond "due to specialist searching in the area"
The lake has been cordoned off.
Volunteers have also been told to avoid the area of a Taylor Wimpey development and obey police if they are asked to leave certain areas.
The council added: "You are looking for a frightened three year old. Think about slight movements in your peripheral, high and low, tiny small spaces use all your senses whilst searching."Community coming together to search for Noah
Local residents have speaking to LBC to explain why they're volunteering their time to help the search.
John from East Bergholt said "We've got a daughter ourselves, so it's quite close to heart.
"At the moment, we're—I'm just out giving support with my dog. Just looking in all the bushes, trying to find, see if there's anything, you know, we can do to help.
"I think the community reaction has been fantastic. I first saw it on Facebook through the East Bergholt Facebook page, and it's unbelievable. It's really, really great."