POLICE and coastguard helicopters have joined the urgent hunt for a missing partially deaf and non-verbal three-year-old boy.

Noah was last seen at 3pm yesterday after running off from a playground, sparking a huge search operation in Brantham, Suffolk.

Noah was last seen at 3pm yesterday after running off from a playground Credit: Suffolk Police

Dog units, police and HM Coastguard helicopters have been deployed in the hunt for the tot Credit: PA

Noah, who is understood to be partly deaf and non-verbal, had been with his granddad at an under 5s playpark in Merriam Close.

But the youngster vanished yesterday afternoon after running off down an alleyway next to the playground.

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He is said to have run off toward a new build housing estate, which is located near a large fishing lake known as Decoy Pond.

Dog units, police and HM Coastguard helicopters have since been deployed in the desperate hunt for the tot, Suffolk Police said.

The youngster vanished yesterday afternoon after running off down this alleyway Credit: East Anglia News Service

Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue and a “vast number” of members of the public have also joined the search.

Issuing an update overnight, Brantham Parish Council confirmed there had been no sightings of Noah.

The local authority urged residents to check gardens, sheds and “under furniture” in a desperate plea on social media.

It wrote: “We have just received an update from Suffolk Police that so far there have been no sightings of Noah.

“The police are continuing their search through the night.

“They have asked us to let the public know that if you are asked to move by the police this will be to allow them to do specialist work so please be courteous.

“For all those still searching, the police would like to remind volunteers to take care, travel in pairs, wear high-vis and to keep away from dangerous sites.

“As a priority please check your own property; in gardens, sheds, under furniture etc. Further updates will follow as we have them.”

Suffolk Police Superintendent Pete Partridge said the force was “incredibly grateful” for the support from locals.

He added: “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.

“It is important that any public searches are coordinated with police to ensure we are working together.

“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.”