Noah Woods missing latest: Search ramps up for non-verbal boy, 3, last seen near Suffolk playground

Noah Woods father has said his son is mildly autistic, but capable of everyday tasks.

“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 every day tasks,” Rhys Woods wrote on Facebook.

Suffolk Police said Noah is “described as non-verbal, has partial hearing loss and is currently undergoing an assessment for autism.”

The force said that he will not respond to his name.

The father of the Noah Woods is urging volunteers to widen their search, saying he “cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone”.

Hundreds of people are understood to have joined the search for the three-year-old, with Rhys Woods thanking “every single one of you who have taken part in the search for our boy Noah.”

He wrote on Facebook: “Please don’t give up on him guys.

“He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”

Suffolk Police have said they are “very concerned” about Noah’s welfare and need to find him as a matter of urgency.

Superintendent Pete Partridge said in a statement:“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.”

He asked local residents not to “put themselves at risk or undertake independent searches overnight”, adding: “We will continue to keep Noah’s family and the public updated on the progress of our searches and investigation.”

More than 100 people are understood to have joined the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, who went missing on Tuesday afternoon.

He was last seen at 3pm when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree.

Noah is believed to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new build housing estate, Suffolk Police officers said.

Police said specially trained officers and dog units have been searching the village, located near the estuary of the River Stour, since the afternoon.

They have been supported by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, with further support on the ground provided by the Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a vast number of members of the public.