Members of public plan riverbank search for missing Mexborough boy, despite police request
Locals plan search for missing boy this morning
Locals are planning their own search for a missing South Yorkshire boy, reported to have last been seen getting into the River Don on Saturday evening.
Emergency services were on the scene yesterday as a major operation to find him was carried out.
Now concerned friends and loved ones are asking for as many people as possible to help in a public search this morning (June 1), despite police requesting the public not to engage in their own search.
The members of the public behind today’s search plan have stated no children, and adults only, with the proposed meeting place as the George and Dragon pub at 9am.
An appeal on Facebook stated: “We ask for anyone willing to volunteer to prioritise your safety at all times and to respect the police investigation and co-operate with any local authorities at all times.
“We are hoping to search all the way along the River Don, starting from Mexborough through to Sprotbrough.”
They added the boy’s mum and dad thanked everyone for their help trying to bring the youngster home.
The youngster was last seen entering the water of the River Don in Mexborough, at 8pm on Saturday.
Police remained by the River Don, off Ferryboat Lane, last night (May 31, 2026) after tireless search efforts since 4am.
A major search operation began just after 8pm on Saturday following reports that the missing boy had entered the river but was not seen emerging.
Over the course of yesterday, a multi-agency operation - involving emergency services, an underwater search team, the Yorkshire Air Service, and Mountain Rescue – searched the river, the riverbank, and nearby open land.
Sadly, the boy has not yet been found.
Family Liaison Officers remain in regular contact with his family, say South Yorkshire Police.
PC Simon Bennett, the Police Search Advisor who has been coordinating the search teams, said last night: “Since first light (Sunday), experts with specialist knowledge and skills have assisted our search of the river, the riverbank, and nearby open land.
“The underwater search team initially waded in the shallow waters before boarding sled boats, while a boat with sonar has been used to search deeper waters.
“Officers from SYP and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have also checked the river bank, while Mountain Rescue have assisted the teams on nearby land. We’ve also been supported from above by air searches.”
The search had to be suspended due to failing light.
Announcing that, PC Bennett said: “As we have now lost daylight, the search has become more challenging and we will have to await first light to resume extensive search activities, but we aren’t giving up – police officers will remain at the River Don overnight and we are already putting plans in place for further searches of the River Don and nearby land tomorrow.
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“The boy and his family are at the forefront of our minds and we are all doing everything we can to find this young man.
“I must thank the local community who have allowed us to conduct the search with few onlookers to ensure the boy and his family are afforded the dignity the deserve.
“We have had so many offers of help but, for everyone’s safety, must ask people to refrain from conducting their own searches of land or water – we have enough resources to continue the search and have access to a national network of specialists should we need them in the coming days.”