River Don search: Police explain why they want public to stay away from search for missing boy, 11

Police have explained why they are urging the public to stay away from the search for a missing boy, last seen getting into the River Don on Saturday evening.

It comes as friends and loved ones appeal for people to join a search for the 11-year-old youngster near the banks of the water today.

South Yorkshire Police has issued a statement explaining their reasoning, and revealing that ‘extensive activities’ in the search for the missing 11-year-old boy resumed in and around the river at first light this morning (June 1).

They said in a statement on social media: “Licensed police search officers, the underwater search team, and Mountain Rescue will continue water and land searches today.

“We understand people are desperate to help but, for everyone's safety, we must ask that only those involved in our operation join the search.

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“We are doing everything we can to find this young man but, if a member of the public was to get in to trouble whilst searching, we would need to pause our search to help.”

Police launched a search of the River Don using specialist resources after being called to Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough at 7.59pm on Saturday, May 30 to reports that an 11-year-old boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out.

Officers, alongside emergency crews from the National Police Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, responded and a specialist search operation remains underway.

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