Noah's disappearance

Three-year-old Noah Woods was at a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, with a relative on Tuesday, but the pair "became separated" when they left at about 15:00 BST.

It is reported that Noah ran off down an alleyway towards a housing estate.

The three-year-old is non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and is undergoing an autism assessment. He is wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.

Suffolk Police says Noah would not respond to his name being called.

The search efforts

Police officers have been searching overnight, extending the search area into the nearby villages of Manningtree, Essex, and East Bergholt, Suffolk.

The force has deployed dog units, specially trained officers and its search efforts have been joined by HM Coastguard, the fire service and local search and rescue teams.

Hundreds of people have arrived at Brantham Village Hall to help efforts. Police have asked them to avoid open waters and railways in their searches as these areas require "special expertise".

"I just saw the news and needed to come down and help," Melissa Dark, a local mother-of-two, told the BBC.

CCTV release

This afternoon, Suffolk Police released CCTV of the last confirmed sighting of Noah in the park in Brantham at 14:37 BST on Tuesday.

The video shows the three-year-old spinning and running around a roundabout.

Latest from the police

Supt Tom Pearse of Suffolk Police said there was "nothing to indicate anything sinister" or any elements of criminality have taken place and the disappearance was still being treated as a missing persons investigation.

He asked the public to check gardens, sheds and outbuildings, while asking drivers to review dashcam footage and residents to review CCTV from 14:37 BST on Tuesday onward.

People with information can call a dedicated police phone line on 0800 0516076.

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Image source, Charlie Jones/BBC

After Supt Tom Pearse briefed reporters, he went downstairs to talk to members of the public who have gathered at the leisure centre.

"I give my heartfelt thanks to all of you coming out here today. From what I have seen, it is an unbelievably special community. You have demonstrated that by the way you have all come together.

"I want to pass on the thanks of Noah's family. They are unbelievably grateful and blown away by your support."

Supt Tom Pearse says the force is keeping an open mind over Noah's disappearance, which is being treated as a missing person investigation at this stage.

He says 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".

Supt Pearse says a number of people had contacted the force about finding children's hats and toys.

However, he says as far as the force is aware Noah was not wearing any hats or carrying any other items when he was last seen.

A major incident public portal has been set up for people to submit any information directly to the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk investigation team.

Pearse has advised people with information to call a dedicated phone line on: 0800 0516076.

Supt Tom Pearse begins his update by saying he and Noah's family are "extremely grateful" for the support which has been shown from the public.

He also gives his thanks to emergency service colleagues and search partners, and asks people to avoid open waters and railways in their search - as these areas require "specialist and professional expertise".

Pearse then asks for personal drones not to be used in searches.

Suffolk Police is giving an update on the search for three-year-old Noah Woods.

We will be bringing you updates here and you can watch it live at the top of this page.

Police have also asked thanked the hundreds of people who have helped in the search for Noah.

Supt Tom Pearse said: "We are extremely grateful to 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.

"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."

Suffolk Police says there is nothing to indicate any criminality was involved in Noah's disappearance.

Images and CCTV footage have been released showing him at the playground in Merriman Close, shortly before he went missing.

Supt Tom Pearse said: “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."

Image source, Family handout

It has been almost 24 hours since three-year-old Noah Woods went missing in the village of Brantham, in Suffolk. Here's what we know so far:

• Noah had been visiting a playground in Merriman Close in Brantham with a relative on Tuesday. However, he became separated as they left at about 15:00 BST
• It is reported that the boy ran off down an alleyway beside the playground towards a new-build housing estate
• Noah is described by police as being white, with curly ginger hair. He was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe
• He is said to be non-verbal with partial hearing loss and is undergoing an autism assessment. Police have said he will not respond to his name

• Suffolk Police searched throughout the night with specially trained officers and dog units. It has been supported by HM Coastguard, the fire service and Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue
• Hundreds of people have volunteered and given up their time to help with the search efforts
• Residents have been asked to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings for potential hiding areas
• People with CCTV or doorbell cameras have been asked to review the footage and motorists travelling through the village have also been asked to check dashcams
• This morning, a major incident public portal was set up for people to submit any information to the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk investigation team
• Areas of the village have been cordoned off while the force continues its search
• A short while ago, Suffolk Police revealed the last confirmed sighting of Noah was from CCTV in the park at 14:37 BST on Tuesday

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Police have just put out a statement confirming the last sighting of Noah Woods was from CCTV in the playground at 14:37 yesterday. Officers have released moving footage of his last known movements.

Supt 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.

"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."

Suffolk Police has issued CCTV footage showing Noah Woods at a playground in Brantham, before he went missing.

Image source, Suffolk Police

Zoie O'Brien
in Brantham

There’s at least 60 people currently walking the edges of the fields behind the housing estate where Noah was seen nearby yesterday.

The groups have been split into those happy to cover difficult terrain and those to take pathways.

Image source, Zoie O'Brien/BBC

Image source, Zoie O'Brien/BBC

Image source, Zoie O'Brien/BBC

Richard Daniel

On the A134 approaching Brantham there are cars parked in every lay-by and on every verge as members of the public continue to help with the search for Noah.

Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Image source, Charlie Jones/BBC

Stella Smith (left) is from Brantham and arrived at the village hall earlier with her niece Sian, who had her baby boy with her.

They said they were out searching last night and came back this morning to carry on.

"I live across the road from the park where Noah went missing and we go to that park all the time so I just wanted to do my bit to help," said Sian.

Zoie O'Brien
in Brantham

Local people are searching the banks of the River Stour. They’re spread out across miles, searching in scrubland, bins, gardens and fields.

People are clearly paying attention to the advice that Noah won’t react to shouting - it’s very quiet in the area.

Image source, Zoie O'Brien/BBC

Image source, Zoie O'Brien/BBC

Image source, Jo Black/BBC

Searches featuring members of the public have been co-ordinated with the help of Sarah Keys, clerk of Brantham Parish Council.

This morning she briefed volunteers, splitting them into two teams; those able to cover footpaths and rough terrain and others more comfortable on estates.

She says the search efforts are focused on:

• Arable land around Brantham
• Footpaths that lead to the estuary
• Areas towards Manningtree and East Bergholt

On Tuesday evening she said volunteers concentrated on areas that were well lit, whereas the police searched a nearby pond close to where Noah was last seen. She said developers of the new-build housing estate carried out a thorough search of the area.

Nick Johnson
in Brantham

Michael Crowley says he was working opposite the playground where Noah went missing yesterday and saw him playing.

He describes the three-year-old boy and another person playing happily on the swings at about 15:00. Police have said Noah was with a relative at the playground.

When he got home and heard the news, Michael saw the picture of Noah Woods and said he immediately knew that’s who he saw in the playground.

“He looked as happy and healthy as anything,” he said.

Mark Allison
in Brantham

Image source, Mark Allison/BBC

I'm near the alleyway where Noah was last seen yesterday. Police have taped off access to the public while their specialised teams search the surrounding woodland.

Officers are also going door-to-door at the nearby Taylor Wimpey housing estate, asking if people have checked their doorbell cameras, gardens and any outbuildings.

Image source, Mark Allison/BBC