Police launch hunt for missing boy, four, who vanished with his father during planned visit over weekend in Gateshead
- Ian, 44, and James Malone, four, last seen playing in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead
- Pair met for a planned trip on Sunday, July 4 but neither have been seen since
- Northumbria Police has shared pictures and descriptions of bothh Ian and James
Police have launched a search for a missing father and son who went missing over the weekend while on a family trip.
James Malone, four, was last seen playing with his father Ian, 44, at around 10.15am on Sunday, July 4 near an address in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
Ian had met James as part of a planned visit but during their trip, he left the area with his son and neither of them have been seen or heard from since.
Northumbria Police has been searching for Ian and James but have not yet traced them.
James Malone, four, was last seen playing with his father Ian, 44, at around 10.15am on Sunday, July 4 near an address in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead
Earlier this week detectives released images of Ian but now they have released a picture of James, and CCTV footage of the pair in Rowlands Gill on the day they disappeared.
Ian is described as white, around 5ft 5in tall, slight build and with mousy brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark coloured jacket, jeans and trainers.
James has curly, auburn hair and was last seen wearing a rust coloured t-shirt
Chief Superintendent Sav Patsalos is the Central Area Commander at Northumbria Police and has asked anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward.
Ian is described as white, around 5ft 5in tall, slight build and with mousy brown hair. James has curly, auburn hair and was last seen wearing a rust coloured t-shirt
He said: ‘Our top priority is the welfare of Ian and James and the focus of our investigation is making sure we can locate them safe and well.
‘We have carried out a number of enquiries in recent days but know that assistance from the public could be crucial to tracing their whereabouts.
‘We are now in a position to release an image of James and are today also releasing some CCTV footage that shows the pair together after their disappearance.
‘A number of people have already called us with information, and we are following up on every lead, but we still need anyone with information to come forward.
‘If you think you have seen Ian and James in recent days, or could help us trace their whereabouts, then please get in touch with us immediately.’
If you think you’ve seen Ian & James in recent days, please call 101, quoting NP-20210704-0851.