The police helicopter and search teams were out in Birmingham tonight. Officers from West Midlands Police had been searching for a missing six-year-old schoolboy, called Melab, from Ladywood, before he was found safe and well.
The youngster, who was wearing a blue jacket and grey school trousers, had a scooter and a Spiderman backpack, went missing from around 3.30pm today, Tuesday, January 7.
A force helicopter was used as part of the search, which was seen encircling the Edgbaston and Ladywood. While officers made door-to-door inquiries. CCTV was also checked as police made a public appeal for information.
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Police had also been carrying out searches for him near the Five Ways Roundabout area of Birmingham city centre. Officers asked anyone who may spot him to call 999 immediately.
Locals had been involved in the search. Mum Louise Atkinson was bringing her daughter back to her grandparents’ house when she came across the “frantic” mother of the missing boy.
The 33-year-old told BirminghamLive: “It was about 3.50pm and we were coming back from Barford Primary School when we saw the mother. She was upset and frantic and she was asking for CCTV. She was confused and crying, she was desperate. There’s an alleyway at the back of the house and we walked around it but couldn’t see the child.
“The mom called the police. The police came and started the search. The neighbours were looking around.” Thankfully, the youngster was later found by a member of the public near to Lee Bank Middleway.