Underwater police officers scour river as huge search effort for 'very vulnerable' missing boy continues

Underwater police officers have been scouring a river in Trafford as part of a huge search effort to find a missing 14-year-old boy.

Luke Howe, who has learning difficulties, went missing from his grandparents' home in Hale just before 6.15pm yesterday (Thursday, January 18). He was last seen on Bankhall Lane, police said.

A large-scale search for him has been ongoing through the night and into today, with no sign of him yet. Pictures showed the North West Underwater Police search team wading through the River Bollin in Hale this morning, which is just metres away from where he was last seen.

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Luke's auntie Jessica Howe told the Manchester Evening News that searches have been focusing around rivers, canals and woodlands. Members of the public have been out helping the search with walkers, runners and cyclers keeping an eye out in areas around Hale, Altrincham, Sale, Wythenshawe and Ashley.

Police officers have also been spotted making door-to-door enquiries in Hale. Jessica described how Luke has global developmental delays and autism, which means he has 'no concept of danger'.

"It's a very serious situation in that when he ran out last night he purposely ran away from the house", Jessica said. "He's only in his school uniform.

"The police have been extensively involved, they've set up drones looking for him and had police dogs come out. None has been to any avail yet."

Luke was last seen wearing his school uniform - a blue sweatshirt and dark grey trousers. His family has set up a public Facebook group where people can check for updates.

"We're just absolutely beside ourselves, his parents are inconsolable", Jessica added. Greater