Major search for missing boy, 3, in Suffolk village

A major search operation is underway in a Suffolk village for a three-year-old boy who vanished from a playground on Tuesday afternoon. Noah was last seen at approximately 3 p.m. after becoming separated from a family member at the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, near Manningtree. Suffolk Police and multiple emergency services are conducting extensive searches of the area. Officers believe the toddler may have run down an alleyway adjacent to the playground, heading toward a nearby newly constructed housing estate. The search has drawn a significant response, with a Coastguard helicopter observed circling the village, which is situated near the estuary of the River Stour. HM Coastguard confirmed it is assisting Suffolk Constabulary by deploying a helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook. Over 100 volunteers also joined the search efforts on Tuesday evening. A spokesperson for Suffolk Constabulary stated, "Emergency services are currently in Brantham conducting searches. Residents in the area are asked to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings.