Boy, aged four, disappeared from South Yorkshire shopping centre and was found on bus

A boy, aged four, vanished from a Doncaster shopping centre and boarded a bus bound for Rotherham.
Colonnades shopping centreColonnades shopping centre
Colonnades shopping centre

The youngster vanished from the Colonnades shopping centre after giving his parents the slip.

A full scale emergency police search was mounted for the youngster and he was found on a bus, bound for Maltby, Rotherham, 30 minutes after the alarm was raised.

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An eagle-eyed bus driver spotted the boy after his description was circulated to local bus companies.

Six police officers were initially sent to the shopping centre to begin the search for the missing boy.

Traffic wardens were alerted to the disappearance on Saturday, March 4 and asked to help search the town centre.

Store detectives across the town were informed about the missing boy and Frenchgate security staff searched their centre.

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Interchange staff searched their depot and CCTV operators monitored public cameras to look for the little boy.

PC Terry Davidson, who was involved in the search, said: “The result and quick response that took place represents the outstanding reactions and tremendous dedication of officers and partner agencies who worked together to reunite the missing boy with his family.

“Without the cohesive work of everyone involved, the little boy could have ended up many miles away from home.

“I am proud to have been part of the team involved in the work and I hope this instance offers reassurance to the community that police and partners in Doncaster are dedicated to keeping all of our residents safe.”

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Inspector Lynne Lancaster added: “I would personally like to thank PC Terry Davidson, PC Gemma Ibbitson, PC Toni Love, PC Jack Wright, PC Simon Lovell, PC Sarah Daniels, all of the partner agencies and members of the public for their involvement and dedication in the search that aided in reuniting the missing boy with his family.

“It is extremely scary for anyone when they have to report someone they love as missing but the exceptional actions demonstrated in this case, highlights the effectiveness of our community work to the public.”