Body found in search for missing Noah Woods, 3, in Brantham as volunteers weep

Body found in search for missing Noah Woods, 3, in Brantham as volunteers weep Police searching for three-year-old Noah Woods, who vanished from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon, have recovered the body of a child from nearby Decoy Pond A body has been found in the search for missing three-year-old Noah Woods. Noah was last seen at Merriam Close Playground in Brantham, Suffolk, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday. The little boy, who was non-verbal and had partial hearing loss, became separated from a relative while visiting the playground. Hundreds of people from the village and beyond joined the search, hoping to find Noah safe and well. Many volunteers wept as they were told on Wednesday evening that a body had been found. A specialist dive team from the Metropolitan Police was deployed on Wednesday afternoon to assist with the search of Decoy Pond, a fishing lake about 0.2 miles from Merriam Close Playground. The body of a child was subsequently recovered from the lake. Suffolk Police previously said officers were keeping an open mind about Noah's disappearance, but said there was "nothing to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality has taken place". Key Events Volunteers from as far afield as Birmingham and Hampshire joined search More than 1,300 members of the public joined the search for three-year-old Noah Woods in Brantham, Suffolk Police said. Supt Tom Pearse said earlier this evening: "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support and people putting on their boots to help." Volunteers travelled from as far afield as Birmingham and Hampshire to help, according to the BBC. Police confirm body found in search for missing boy Tears and hugs among volunteers at local leisure centre Superintendent Tom Pearse said more than 1,300 members of the public had supported the search for three-year-old Noah Woods. Volunteers who had gathered at Brantham Leisure Centre were seen hugging and crying as the officer told them that a child’s body had been found in Decoy Pond. 'It's hard to imagine the pain Noah's family must be feeling,' says local MP James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, said in a post on Facebook: "The news about Noah Woods is utterly heartbreaking and I send all my prayers to his family. Frankly it’s hard to even imagine the pain they must be feeling. "I was standing with the volunteers at Brantham leisure centre when the police informed them of the tragic news. It was a devastating blow indeed for people who had worked so hard. Ultimately, we’ve had a day of extraordinary community endeavour culminating in such sadness. "Those who came to help will feel numb, but I remain incredibly grateful for their efforts, even if it has all ended so painfully." Brantham Parish Council issues statement Brantham Parish Council has issued a statement on social media, saying it shares "with the deepest regret" the news that a body has been found in Decoy Pond in the search for three-year-old Noah Woods. The council said: "Our thoughts are with Noah’s family, friends and everyone who knows and loves him at this incredibly difficult time. "We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Brantham residents and the wider community. The response over the past couple of days has been extraordinary. "So many people have given their time, searched, brought supplies, opened buildings, supported volunteers and stood together as a community. "Your kindness, care and willingness to help has been truly remarkable. At this time, we ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy and give them the time and space they need. "The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be at the Brantham Village Hall tomorrow from 8am, which will remain the police hub. "The Brantham Leisure Centre will be open as a community hub, providing a place for members of the community to come together, support one another and, if they wish, pay their respects. "Please redirect all supply deliveries to Brantham Leisure Centre. We will continue to share appropriate updates through the Parish Council’s official channels. Our thoughts are with Noah’s family, friends and all those who love him." Volunteers weep as police confirm body found in search Volunteers wept as Superintendent Tom Pearse addressed them at Brantham Leisure Centre after a body was found in the search for three-year-old Noah Woods. Speaking to the crowd in a garden area at the leisure centre, the officer said: "You will have heard the news. First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him." His voice cracked with emotion at times as he addressed the volunteers. Police statement in full as body found Below is Superintendant Tom Pearse's statement in full regarding the discovery of a body in the search for Noah Woods. Supt Pearse said: "Officers have recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham. "Formal identification is yet to take place but the family of Noah Woods have been informed of this development. "The discovery of the body is currently being treated as not suspicious but unexplained. "The coroner will be informed of this development. "Since Noah was reported as missing, officers have carried out multiple enquiries, including the deployment of specialist search officers and dog units and received support from various agencies, including helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard. "Additional assistance on the ground has been provided by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue and over 1,300 members of the public supporting the search. "First and foremost, our thoughts are with Noah's family and all those who knew him. "Since Noah was reported as missing, vast number of our officers and staff have been deployed in numerous functions for the search of Noah and the support for his family. "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support and people putting on their boots to help us with the search. "As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is what demonstrates the strong sense and the heartwarming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place. "I'm sure you appreciate that the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this." Body found in search for missing Noah A body has tragically been found in the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, say police. Hundreds of people joined the search for the youngster who went missing during a visit to a play area in the Suffolk village on Tuesday afternoon, when he became separated from a relative. Volunteers form cordon in field near lake Lowland search and rescue volunteers have formed a cordon along a field near to a lake in Brantham, Suffolk, where searches are under way to find missing Noah Woods, aged three. One of the volunteers said their cordon was because search dogs may be brought in later. The volunteers were keeping the area between themselves and Decoy Pond, which is searched by a specialist diving team from the Met Police, clear. Volunteer registrations to stop for the day Louise Madley, manager of Brantham Leisure Centre, has been helping co-ordinate the hundreds of volunteers who've joined the search for missing Noah. She said: "We welcome any extra volunteers, probably from tomorrow now." She added that "we will have to stop registrations at a certain point, I imagine that’s going to be around the 5.30pm mark". She said that on Tuesday night there were "a lot of people on the streets that hindered the police search and rescue, and it’s just safety as well of everyone involved – around this area it can be quite precarious". Met Police specialist diving team on scene A specialist diving team from the Met Police has been sent to support officers from Suffolk Constabulary with the ongoing search for missing three-year-old Noah Woods. The divers are searching Decoy Pond, a fishing lake about 0.2 miles away from where Noah was last seen at the Merriam Close Playground. Noah's family 'blown away by support' Noah's family have been "blown away" by the support received from the hundreds of volunteers who joined the search for the three-year-old. Superintendent Tom Pearse, of Suffolk Constabulary, said they are "unbelievably grateful" for all those who've contributed to the search. Read the full story here. MP urges Home Office to activate emergency alert system Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said he has written to the Home Office urging it to activate the Emergency Alerts system to help locate three-year-old Noah Woods. Every extra pair of eyes helps, says volunteer - as search continues for Noah Hundreds of people have joined the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, who went missing from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, yesterday afternoon. One volunteer told Sky News: "As I had a day off this morning, my dad and I thought we'd come over and help. "The more extra pairs of eyes that can be looking for Noah... that's all helpful. "A lot of people here have got children of their own, so you can understand how difficult it is for everybody." Video: Top officer's update on search for missing Noah Superintendent Tom Pearse, of Suffolk Police, recently gave an update on the force's efforts to find missing Noah, who was last seen more than 24 hours ago. Volunteer searchers have been asked to avoid open waters and railways as they require special expertise. Drones should also not be used as they could interfere with those used by emergency services, Supt Pearse said. People have also been asked to check their sheds and gardens once again. Dramatic images show hundreds searching for Noah Searches for missing three-year-old boy Noah continue in Brantham, Suffolk. Hundreds of volunteers have joined the efforts to find the boy, who was last seen yesterday at 2.37pm when he became separated from a relative after visiting Merriam Close playground in Brantham. Police have cordoned off a nearby lake known as Decoy Pond as well as a wooded area, with officers saying it is "out of bounds" for members of the public. 'Everybody's come together to do what they can' Rebecca Lucas, 46, is among the hundreds of volunteers taking part in a large-scale search for missing Noah. She explained how "everybody's come together to try and do what they can". Ms Lucas, who lives in Manningtree, Essex, said: "I’ve got two children, I’ve got a seven-year-old and a three-year-old, and obviously this hits quite close to home with Noah being three. "I think within the local community everyone’s really close knit and it just touches at the heart strings, everybody just wants to get involved and see if there’s anything we can do rather than just sit at home." The theatre production company worker took part in the briefing organised at the village hall earlier today. She was given a specific area to search, which included fields and the area surrounding a local church. Ms Lucas said she looked for "anything that could possibly give us a clue but we haven’t found anything as yet". She said she will be here "as long as they need us". She said it must be difficult for the family, adding: "I can’t even begin to put myself in that position as a mother, it really pulls at you." Further house enquiries along with foot, aerial and thermal searches underway Police searching for three-year-old Noah Woods in Brantham are carrying out further house-to-house inquiries along with additional foot, aerial and thermal searches. Suffolk Police said: “Since Noah was reported as missing, officers have carried out multiple inquiries, including the deployment of specialist search officers and dog units. “Search efforts have been assisted by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard. Additional assistance on the ground has been provided by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue, with a significant number of members of the public.” Visitor from US joins search for Noah in Brantham Mirror chief reporter Andy Lines is reporting from the scene in Brantham One of the people who gave up their time to search for Noah today is a visitor from the United States. Colleen Snyder, 65, is over for her sister’s 70th birthday celebrations but when she saw the news of his disappearance on TV she immediately came to the village to help. Colleen, from Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, said: “I just hope he’s found. It’s so sad. When I heard about the search I just felt I had to come and do my little bit to help. I’m staying in Felixstowe which isn’t too far away.” 'Noah was not wearing any hats or carrying any other items' Police have said that Noah was not wearing a hat or carrying toys after people have got in touch after finding children's items. "We have had a number of people contact us about children's hats and toys that they have found, as far as we are aware, Noah was not wearing any hats or carrying any other items when he was last seen," said Supt Tom Pearse. 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. People urged by police to avoid open water and not use drones Volunteers looking for Noah have been urged to avoid areas of open water and railways which require specialist expertise - and not use drones as they can interefere with search equipment. Supt Tom Pearse told a press conference: "We politely ask people to avoid open water and railways, these are areas that require specialist and professional expertise. "Personal drones should not not be used as they can interfere with specialist search equipment. There may also be times when officers may need to restrict access to certain areas or move people away from search locations, please do not be offended if that happens it is ncessary for us to carry out our enquiries and our search activity as effectively as possible. "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 eye as to the circumstances." Large crowd of volunteers at village hall with people queuing outside A large crowd of volunteers have gathered outside Brantham Village Hall, with people queuing outside to help in the search for Noah. People spilled into the road as a marshal in hi vis asked them to clear a path and tried to keep traffic moving. Briefings have been given for volunteers to ensure searches were efficient, and that there was not a doubling up of efforts. In a Facebook post, Brantham Parish Council said people should “work in pairs” and not put themselves at risk while searching. The post said not to go onto the train line or to Decoy Pond “due to specialist searching in the area”. 'We are doing everything we can to find him' say police At a press conference this afternoon, Suffolk Police Superintendent Tom Pearse has asked people in Brantham to check their CCTV or doorbell cameras for any sign of Noah.He 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." Footage shows Noah playing with a ride before going missing A clip has been shared by Suffolk Police showing Noah running and playing by a ride at the playground in Brantham before he went missing yesterday. CCTV image shows Noah in playground before he disappeared A CCTV image showing Noah Woods at the playground in Brantham before he went missing has been shared by Suffolk Police. 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. Nothing to suggest a crime has been committed, police say In his latest update, Superintendent Tom Pearse from Suffolk Constabulary said there is no suggestion of criminality related to Noah's disappearance. He 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." He added: "We continue to call on local residents to please check your gardens, sheds and outbuildings, or any other place a child may have been 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." Volunteers to get new briefing to maximise search efforts A woman has addressed a large crowd of volunteers outside Brantham Village Hall, as searches remain ongoing for missing Noah. A marshall in hi-vis asked the people to clear a path in otder to keep traffic moving. She also told the volunteers that a further briefing will take place this afternoon to ensure their efforts are efficient and that searches are not doubled up. In a Facebook post, Brantham Parish Council said people should "work in pairs" and not put themselves at risk while searching. The post said not to go onto the train line or to Decoy Pond "due to specialist searching in the area". Massive response to plea from Noah's father Thousands of people have responded to a plea for help with the search from Noah's father Rhys Woods on Facebook. He has asked that people spread there search as widely as possible. Nick Dennis said: "Praying that your little precious boy will be home soon." Mary McMahon said: "Oh sweetheart my heart is with you. I've been up all night, hoping, praying he's found safe, and checking updates." Multiple comments have come from people out searching. Zoe Knagg said: "When my partner gets home will be out again!" Bloodhound Marshall one of the sniffer dogs brought in for search Sniffer dogs have been brought in to help in the search for Noah. Darren Debenham, 46, and his bloodhound Marshall rejoined the search shortly after 9am. They had been out looking until 4am before going back home to grab some sleep. When they woke they hoped Noah would have been found. Darren, from Ipswich who runs DK9 specialists search unit said: “But unfortunately he wasn’t so we are back out again. Hopefully Marshall can pick up his scent - we just hope we can find Noah. “We train dogs all over the world for this sort of situation.” The pair were heading down to the River Stour.