Urgent overnight search for vulnerable missing three-year-old boy in Brantham
Noah is non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and won't respond to his name, with police and the public searching through the night
Last updated 16th Sep 2026
The search for a missing three-year-old boy in Brantham is continuing this morning, with police stressing he is particularly vulnerable.
Noah is non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and is currently undergoing an assessment for autism.
Police said that, because of these vulnerabilities, he will not respond to his name.
He was last seen at around 3pm yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 15th September, after becoming separated from a relative while visiting the playground in Merriam Close.
Police said he ran off down the alleyway beside the playground, towards the new-build housing estate.
How to recognise Noah
Noah is described as white, with curly ginger hair.
He is wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.
The search so far
Officers, including specially trained search teams and dog units, have been looking for him throughout the day.
The searches have been supported by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard.
Further help on the ground has come from HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a large number of members of the public.
Police are asking people in Brantham to thoroughly check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings, and any other places where a child might hide.
Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras is being asked to review footage from 3pm yesterday afternoon onwards for any possible sightings.
The same request has been made of anyone who drove through Brantham with a dashcam fitted.
A father's plea: 'Please don't give up on him'
His father, Rhys Woods, has thanked the community for their support and urged searchers to widen the area they are covering.
He said on Facebook: "Thank you to every single one of you who have taken part in the search for our boy Noah.
"To clear things up, because people really do make up their own stories, he is only mildly autistic and has partial hearing loss. He is fully capable of everyday tasks.
"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.
"The emergency services are very confident that the high-risk areas, Decoy Pond and the railway lines, are all clear. This means, knowing our boy, that 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.
"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."
What police have said
Superintendent Pete Partridge said: "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. 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 coordinated with police to ensure we are working together, and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective.
"We therefore ask that people do not put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight.
"We will continue to keep Noah's family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.
"We know that people want to help and so we are urging local residents to carefully read our requests to check their gardens and outbuildings and review any CCTV or dashcam footage as a priority.
"Anyone who believes they have seen Noah is asked to contact us immediately."
Anyone who believes they have seen Noah is asked to call Suffolk police on 999.
Anyone with other information can report it online, by calling 101, or through the force's Live Chat service.