Leicester river search – latest: CCTV shows moment missing toddler fell into water as police step up search

Leicestershire Police say they have obtained CCTV footage officers believe shows the boy falling into the River Soar.

It comes as the force steps up its search with Kent and West Mercia Police Search and Rescue team and the Metropolitan Police Marine Recovery dogs called into find the boy who fell into the water on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: “From enquiries conducted so far and from studying CCTV from the local area we have obtained footage which we believe shows the young boy falling into the water.”

At around 5pm on Sunday police officers were called to the River Soar in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane, after the boy fell into the water.

Despite the best efforts of people who were at the scene they were not able to locate him. The search continues today to find him.

Specialist teams from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue along with diving teams from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire police forces have been supporting Leicestershire Police on the search for the missing toddler.

In the update given this lunchtime, Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr has shared the organisations involved in the search for the toddler who fell into the River Soar on Sunday.

As well as Leicestershire police officers, specialist teams from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have taken part along with diving teams from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire forces.

The National Police Air Service and drone unit continue to support officers on the ground.

The Environmental Agency has supported the operation with specialist mapping equipment which has assisted officers in identifying key search areas.

And today Kent and West Mercia Police Search and Rescue team and the Metropolitan Police Marine Recovery dogs is joining the operation.

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr is leading the police operation. She said: “We have had tremendous support from the local community, and we thank everyone who has assisted with our enquiries.

“This is an extremely difficult time for the family, our thoughts are very much with them, and we continue to support them.

“A number of teams from across the force and region have assisted us during this operation and our priority remains to locate the young boy. Thank you to all our officers and specialist teams who continue to work extremely hard at the scene in what are very difficult circumstance for everyone involved.”

Leicestershire Police have just released new information on the search, saying Kent and West Mercia Police Search and Rescue team and the Metropolitan Police Marine Recovery dogs will be joining the operation.

Specialist officers continue to support the boy’s family and our thoughts continue to remain with them at this extremely difficult time, a force spokesperson said.

The search for the two-year-old has seen Leicestershire Police deploy a helicopter and aerial technology. The force has also received support from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the Met police forces.

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “Our priority for Leicestershire Police is to make sure we find the little boy.

Here’s our latest story on the search so far

A dog walker who walked along the footpath near the Packhorse Bridge on the River Soar at around 5pm has also been asked to contact police.

Assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said: “Thank you to everyone who continues to support us during our ongoing search.

“Specialist officers remain in the area and will continue the search throughout the evening. If anyone has any information which may assist us, they are urged to get in touch.”

Last night specialist dive teams were continuing the search for the two-year-old boy, while police also appealed for anyone who spoke to officers near to the scene of the boy’s fall on Monday to get back in touch.

The boy had been with family when he fell into the water in the Aylestone Meadows area, close to Marsden Lane, at around 5pm on Sunday.

Assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said police were doing everything they can to find the boy “as quickly as possible”.

She added: “I would like to reassure people that there will continue to be policing presence and policing activity overnight at the river.

“But I would like to remind people, please, don’t come down to the scene.”