CCTV footage of Noah Woods' final known movements before disappearance from playground
New CCTV images have shown Noah Woods' last known movements as the search for the missing toddler enters its second day.
Hundreds of volunteers are looking for the three-year-old, who was last seen at 2.37pm on Tuesday afternoon (15 September), when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Suffolk.
Noah was in the park on Merriam Close in Brantham, with new camera footage and images shared by Suffolk Police as part of the major search. It shows the youngster running around and using equipment before he was reported as missing.
Hundreds of people have since gathered to join the search for the partially deaf toddler, with police suggesting there is 'nothing to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality', but that they are keeping 'an open mind'.
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Police suspect that Noah may have run off down an alleyway towards a housing estate, but the search is complicated by the fact that he is non-verbal and will not respond to his name if called.
Superintendent Tom Pearse, from the force, said officers are doing everything they can to find him, with members of the public urged to check gardens and sheds.
Alongside the significant public presence in the search, police have deployed sniffer dogs, rescue teams and an overhead helicopter.
"Please don't give up on him"
Noah’s father Rhys posted in a local social media group asking volunteers to widen their search beyond the village where possible, alongside a heartbreaking plea to get his son home safely.
In it, he penned: “I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone, please don’t give up on him guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”
He also shared that the 'emergency services are very confident that the high risk areas (Decoy pond, railway lines) are all clear', suggesting that his son 'has gone further'.
"We still have nothing, all the emergency services and all of you have shown how strong this community is, with people coming from far and wide also," he added.
"This means knowing our boy, he has gone even further, could I ask that all of you brilliant people out there today expand further if you are able to? Reference where I have outlined, and maybe even further than this."
"You are looking for a frightened three-year-old"
Anyone who might come across Noah has been urged not to grab him or approach him but instead call police on 999 immediately and give their exact location using the What3Words app.
Advice from Brantham Parish Council to volunteers helping search for Noah read: "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.”
Volunteers have also been advised to wear high-vis clothing, search in pairs and carry a fully charged mobile phone.
Noah is described as being white with curly ginger hair, is also non-verbal and currently undergoing an assessment for autism.
He was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe at the time.
Police have since asked residents to check through their gardens, including sheds and outbuildings or anywhere that a small child could easily hide, while anyone with CCTV cameras or doorbell cameras in the village has also been asked to review their footage from 3pm onwards yesterday afternoon.
Superintendent Pete Partridge said in a statement: “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 (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue). 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 co-ordinated with police to ensure we are working together, and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective.”
He asked local residents not to 'put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight', adding: “We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.”
Anyone who thinks they have seen Noah is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 203 of 15 September.
Topics: UK News
James Holt