Leicester: Bad weather hinders search for two-year-old boy

Divers have been searching the river and surrounding waters

PA Media Search boats in the river — Divers have been searching the river and surrounding waters

Police say the search for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river is "very much ongoing" despite bad weather.

The boy was with his family when he fell into the River Soar, in the Aylestone area, at about 17:00 GMT on Sunday.

Specialist teams are entering their fourth day in searching for the child, but he has not yet been found.

Leicestershire Police says it has recovered CCTV it believes shows the boy falling into the river.

The force said the boy's father entered the water to try to rescue his child and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. He was later discharged.

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said adverse weather conditions had made the search "more difficult" on Wednesday.

She confirmed the incident is still being treated as a missing person inquiry.

Teams from across the country joined the search on Tuesday

A search boat on the river — Teams from across the country joined the search on Tuesday

"Our search operation today does very much remain ongoing," she said.

"As we now enter the fourth day of the search for the missing boy, we have been truly overwhelmed by the support we have received from forces and other agencies across the country as well as from our communities and the wider public.

"The priority for us all remains to find this little boy and we are grateful for all of your help and support."

The search could face further difficulties with a yellow weather warning for rain in place across Leicestershire between 05:00 and 17:00 on Thursday.

Police said the search remained "very much ongoing", despite the bad weather

PA Media Search teams in the water — Police said the search remained "very much ongoing", despite the bad weather

ACC Kerr confirmed the Metropolitan Police's Marine Recovery dogs, including rescue teams from Kent and West Mercia forces, joined the operation on Tuesday.

The National Police Air Service and drone unit have been supporting officers on the ground, while teams have also used night-vision goggles to search the water for the boy at night time.

Environment Agency officers have also supported the operation with their specialist mapping equipment, which has assisted police in identifying key search areas.

Police said officers have had a "large number of responses" after making an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Police said the boy's family were being supported by officers

PA Media Search crews look for the boy in waters near the river — Police said the boy's family were being supported by officers

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 221

Leicester: Bad weather hinders search for two-year-old boy

Police recover CCTV in search for two-year-old boy

Father tried to rescue son, 2, who fell into river

Search for two-year-old boy who fell into river

Flood water warning after rescue operation

Adventure playgrounds handed funding lifeline

Cash collection van halted by would-be thieves

Man killed partner in 'violent and vicious attack'

'We destroyed my mum's belongings due to bedbugs'

Trail to highlight park's unusual trees

Major £2.2m repair works approved for Curve

Fraudster security guard stole cash from hospital