'This is not just a cold case to us' mum of missing Sheffield boy Ben Needham says as she calls for action
“I cannot allow his case to simply fade away”
The mum of a boy who has been missing for 35 years is calling on people to reach out to South Yorkshire Police after claiming the force has handed over responsibility of the investigation to Greek authorities.
Kerry Needham released the emotional plea on Sunday (May 17), after spending three decades searching for her missing son Ben, who vanished on the Greek island of Kos when he was only 21 months old.
She said that over the years, since the boy’s disappearance in 1991, there have been moments of hope with new information coming to light while British and Greek police forces worked together to discover the truth about what happened that tragic summer.
However, she claims South Yorkshire Police’s (SYP) Major Crime Unit has now said that it will no longer be actively investigating the case, instead leaving it in the hands of Greek police - a decision Kerry described as feeling like ‘a devastating step backwards’.
On the ‘Help Find Ben Needham’ Facebook page, Kerry wrote: “As Ben’s mother, I cannot accept this decision, and I hope all my supporters here will not allow this to happen either.
“For nearly 35 years, we have fought every single day to keep Ben’s case alive, to search for answers, and to make sure he is never forgotten.
“This is not just a cold case to us — this is my son, a little boy who disappeared without a trace, and a family that has lived in pain and uncertainty ever since.”
Earlier today South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We continue to allocate resource to Ben’s case, in the form of a Family Liaison Officer and a detective acting as a single point of contact for potential lines of enquiry. This bolsters our ability to ensure any information received is appropriately routed into the authorities that are charged to investigate.
“The Greek authorities have full primacy over the investigation due to the fact Ben went missing on Kos. Our role here in South Yorkshire is to act as a conduit between the UK, Greece and any other law enforcement agencies in a bid to secure answers.
“We have written to Kerry Needham to explain this position and offered a meeting to address any concern.”
This afternoon, the force added said: “We are aware of concerns raised in relation to a perceived closure of the investigation into Ben Needham’s disappearance. Ben was last seen on 24 July 1991 in Kos, Greece. The below intends to set out our role within this investigation, for clarity.
“The role of South Yorkshire Police, as it always has been, is to be a conduit for information sharing between the UK authorities, Interpol, and the Greek authorities as we seek to support Ben’s family in the continued search for answers. The investigation itself is led by the Greek authorities.
“As we approach the 35 year anniversary of the disappearance of Ben, we have reviewed our processes to ensure these remain fit-for-purpose and can withstand any increase in information flow.
“Our resource allocation has not changed, as we continue to have a designated family liaison officer and detective inspector as the points of contacts for all of the relevant agencies and Ben’s family. The Greek investigation is open and we believe it will remain open until a conclusion is reached. Our involvement in support of the investigation has not changed.
“We remain committed to supporting Ben’s family and the investigation and fully appreciate the distress and trauma the family have been through and continue to go through.
“We’re deeply sorry for any confusion this review may have caused but wish to reassure all involved that this has not resulted in a change to our approach, it only sought to confirm we had the right approach to provide the best possible support within our jurisdiction.”
Kerry has called on supporters to contact SYP, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and even Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ensure her son’s case isn’t forgotten.
“I have always been grateful for every officer, journalist, supporter, and member of the public who has stood by us throughout this journey,” she wrote online.
“But I truly believe Ben deserves continued support and commitment from the UK authorities. I cannot allow his case to simply fade away.
“That is why I am asking the public for your help once again. Please stand with us. Share Ben’s story. Raise awareness.
“I am also asking people to contact South Yorkshire Police and the UK Prime Minister to express your support for Ben’s case to remain actively investigated and for continued cooperation between British and Greek authorities. Public pressure matters, and your voices could make a difference.
“No parent should ever have to stop searching for their child, and I never will.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to support our family and keep hope alive for Ben Needham.”