Suffolk Police search for missing 3-year-old Noah Woods in Brantham

September 15, 2026 at 10:52 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Suffolk Police and emergency services are searching for Noah Woods, a 3-year-old boy who went missing from a playground in Brantham at about 15:00 BST on Tuesday. More than 100 members of the public joined the search, with helicopters and drones deployed. Police have asked residents to check outbuildings and gardens, while train services between Manningtree and Ipswich run at reduced speed due to the search.

Key Facts

Noah Woods, 3, was last seen wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black and white Vans trainers.
Suffolk Police said Noah is partially deaf, autistic and non-verbal, and would not respond to his name being called.
More than 100 people joined the searches on Tuesday evening, according to BBC reporter Zoie O'Brien.
HM Coastguard sent a helicopter and rescue teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook to assist Suffolk Constabulary.
Train services between Manningtree and Ipswich were ordered to run at reduced speed due to the searches.

The Disappearance

Noah Woods was with a relative at the small park at Merriam Close in Brantham but became separated from them as they left at about 15:00 BST, Suffolk Police said. The toddler was reported to have run down a nearby alleyway towards a newbuild housing estate. Police described Noah as white, with curly ginger hair, and said he would not respond to his name being called. He was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe at the time he went missing.

Search Operations

Suffolk Police deployed specially trained officers, helicopters and drones to assist with the search of the area. Supt Pete Partridge asked local residents to check their outbuildings, gardens and sheds and report any sightings to police on 999. Rescue teams carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area, and a helicopter was pictured flying over the scene near the estuary of the River Stour. HM Coastguard sent an HM Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook to assist Suffolk Constabulary. Police cordoned off the area surrounding the park and asked the public not to undertake independent searches overnight.

Community Response

BBC reporter Zoie O'Brien, who was at the scene, said more than 100 people joined the searches on Tuesday evening. The helicopter appeared to be circling above fields and a wooded area behind the housing estate. Suffolk Police posted on its Facebook page: "It is overwhelming to read the support people are offering." Passengers on trains between Manningtree and Ipswich were told their services must run at a reduced speed due to the searches.