Richard Daniel
Reporting from Brantham and East Bergholt

Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC

Laura Barham, from Ipswich, and her sister Sophie Stoker, from Harwich, Essex, said they felt they could not just sit at home and do nothing.

“He is just a little boy who is lost and frightened,” said Barham.

“We've all got young family members and you just feel like you need to do something to help them search, because I can't imagine the torment they’re going through.

“We’ve been looking anywhere where a little one might sneak into and crawl under - every little gap we can find.”

Sophie has a three-year-old son and said she hoped the community would come together in a similar way were he to go missing.

“I'd want the same if it was him, [for people] to come together,” she said.

Jodie Halford

Image source, Jodie Halford/BBC

Jon Abbott, the vice-chairman of the Manifest Theatre in Manningtree, Essex, has opened the doors of the venue for anyone involved in the search who may be in need of a rest or refreshments.

The 64-year-old told the BBC: “If they come this way, they're more than welcome to come in, put their feet up for a while, charge phones, go to the loo, have tea or coffee.

“It is heartwarming to see how people have come out to search, even from outside of the area.

“We just want to be part of helping the search for poor little Noah.”

Image source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

Supt Tom Pearse provided journalists with an update on the investigation earlier, here is his 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 add 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 went missing.

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Here at Brantham Leisure Centre, hundreds of volunteers have gathered to help in the search for missing Noah, with people travelling from as far as Hampshire and Birmingham to lend a hand.

Brantham Parish Council says at least 1,000 volunteers have helped so far in the search for Noah, and police say the little boy’s family are blown away by the support.

The mood here is determined and hopeful, with volunteers preparing to head out again and help with the search.

Volunteers say they will not rest until the little boy is found.

Richard Daniel
in Brantham

Image source, Richard Daniel/BBC

Carmel Martin, from East Bergholt, Suffolk, says she has been part of the search team looking for Noah.

She felt compelled to help because of his age and the thought of "him being out there all on his own all night".

"It's really worrying and it has upset us, but it is nice how everybody's got together - I think it's brilliant," she said.

"Hopefully he gets home safe to his mum and dad."

Nick Johnson
in Brantham

Volunteers continue to turn up to join the search for Noah. Some are wearing high-visibility jackets, others have brought hiking gear and backpacks.

They have been told to register at Brantham's village hall, where they are given a map and a designated search area

The queue to join the search has been snaking around the village for the past couple of hours.

Police have welcomed the community support, but have urged volunteers to stay away from open water and other hazardous areas.

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Image source, Family handout

I’m here at Brantham Leisure Centre where Supt Tom Pearse has just told the press and public that Noah's family are "extremely grateful" for the support which has been shown from the volunteers.

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

Image source, Charlie Jones/BBC

Brantham Parish Council said 1,000 volunteers have been involved with the search so far and more continuing to arrive.

Charlie Jones
in Brantham

Image source, Charlie Jones/BBC

There are hundreds of volunteers still turning up at Brantham Leisure Centre, where Sarah Keys from Brantham Parish Council is co-ordinating the efforts.

She told the crowd that the next community briefing will be at 09:30 BST on Thursday.

She asked people to stop donating food and drink for volunteers as they are “inundated”.

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 before 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 town of Manningtree in Essex and the village of East Bergholt in 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 element of criminality has taken place although we keep an open mind as to the circumstances".

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