Police searching for Noah Woods who vanished following a visit to a village playground in Suffolk have said there is "nothing to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality", but they are keeping an open mind.
A massive police operation is under way in Brantham, Suffolk looking for the little boy called Noah, who became separated from a relative after a trip to the play area in Merriam Close at 3pm on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, volunteers could be seen in hi-vis jackets helping to search the area, with efforts being co-ordinated from the village hall and a local leisure centre.
They are part of a massive search operation led by police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue teams, with sniffer dogs being used and a helicopter flying overhead.
It is thought that Noah ran off down an alleyway beside the playground towards a nearby new-build housing estate.
The surrounding area includes woods and a pond and is near the River Stour and a railway.
Noah is white with curly ginger hair and was wearing a white T-shirt with the TV character Bluey on, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.
He is non-verbal and has partial hearing loss. He is being assessed for autism, and will not respond to his name if called, Suffolk police said.
Noah’s father posted on social media asking volunteers to widen their search beyond the village where possible.
He wrote: "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."
Police earlier asked local residents to check their gardens thoroughly, sheds and outbuildings or any potential areas where a child might hide.
Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who was driving through the area with a dashcam, are asked to review the footage from 3pm yesterday afternoon onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.
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."
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