Police Appeal for Public Help as 6ft Tall Boy Vanishes from Dallington Area on Sunday Afternoon
An urgent search has been launched for a 12-year-old schoolboy who went missing from Northampton on Sunday afternoon, with police appealing for immediate public assistance to help locate the child.
Markas disappeared from the Dallington area of the town and was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, long grey shorts and black trainers. Despite his young age, the missing boy is described as 6ft tall with an average build and fair hair.
Northamptonshire Police issued an urgent appeal on Sunday evening as concerns mounted for the schoolboy’s welfare. Officers are asking anyone who spots Markas not to approach him but to immediately contact emergency services.
The force released details of the disappearance through social media channels, urging the public to share information widely to aid the search effort. The missing person reference number MPN4/2963/25 has been assigned to the case.
Police Appeal
In a statement posted on social media, Northamptonshire Police said: “Have you seen missing child Markas aged 12? Markas is missing from Northampton and was last seen in the Dallington area of town this afternoon, Sunday, September 14.”
The force provided a detailed description to help the public identify the missing child: “When Markas was last seen he was wearing a grey t-shirt, long grey shorts and black trainers. Markas is 6ft tall, average build, and has fair hair.”
Officers issued specific instructions for anyone who might encounter the missing boy. “If you have seen Markas or have information about where he is please don’t approach him but call 999,” the statement continued.
The police also provided an alternative reporting method for those with information, directing them to report sightings online at https://orlo.uk/drZr7 whilst quoting the missing person reference.
In a direct appeal to the missing child, officers added: “Markas, if you see this appeal, please get in touch with us as soon as possible, we need to make sure you are okay.”
Search Operation
The disappearance has triggered an immediate response from Northamptonshire Police, with officers conducting searches in the Dallington area where Markas was last seen on Sunday afternoon.
Dallington is a residential area located approximately one mile west of Northampton town centre. The neighbourhood features a mix of housing estates, local shops and schools, making it a busy area particularly at weekends.
Given the boy’s young age, police are treating the disappearance as a priority case. Standard procedure for missing children involves immediate area searches, house-to-house enquiries and examination of CCTV footage from the vicinity.
The timing of the disappearance on a Sunday afternoon means there may have been numerous potential witnesses in the area who could provide crucial information about Markas’s movements.
Public Response Crucial
Missing person cases involving children typically generate significant public concern and response. Police rely heavily on community assistance in such cases, with social media proving an increasingly valuable tool for spreading awareness quickly.
The distinctive height of the missing boy, standing at 6ft tall despite being only 12 years old, should make him more recognisable to members of the public. This unusual characteristic for his age group could prove crucial in helping identify him.
Officers are likely to be checking locations where young people typically gather, including parks, shopping areas and transport hubs. The search will intensify if Markas is not located within the first 24 hours, which is considered a critical period in missing person investigations.
Statistics and Context
According to national statistics, over 170,000 people are reported missing every year in the UK, with nearly 75,000 of these cases involving children. The National Crime Agency reports that someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the country.
Fortunately, the vast majority of missing children cases are resolved quickly. Statistics show that 79 per cent of missing children are found within 24 hours, whilst 90 per cent are located within two days. Less than 2 per cent of children remain missing for longer than a week.
There are various reasons why children go missing, including family issues, problems at school, or simply becoming lost or disoriented. In many cases, children are found safe and well after staying with friends or family members without informing their guardians.
Northamptonshire Context
Northamptonshire Police regularly deal with missing person cases, with the force having specialist units trained in locating vulnerable individuals. The county has implemented various initiatives to reduce repeat disappearances, particularly among young people.
Recent data shows that early intervention programmes in Northamptonshire have been successful in reducing the number of children who repeatedly go missing. Operation Satin, a local project, has helped support hundreds of young people and their families.
The force has experience in coordinating large-scale searches when necessary, utilising resources including police dogs, drones and helicopter support for high-risk cases. The level of resources deployed typically depends on the assessed risk to the missing person.
Community Action
Local residents in Dallington and surrounding areas are being urged to check gardens, sheds, garages and any outbuildings where a child might seek shelter. Parents are also advised to speak with their own children in case they have any information about Markas’s whereabouts.
Shop owners and businesses in the area are likely being asked to review their CCTV footage from Sunday afternoon for any sightings of the missing boy. Transport hubs including bus and train stations will also be areas of focus for the search.
Social media users are being encouraged to share the police appeal widely, particularly on local community groups and pages where Northampton residents are likely to see the information.
Safety Concerns
The instruction not to approach Markas if spotted suggests police may have specific concerns about his state of mind or welfare. This is standard practice in many missing person cases to ensure both the safety of the missing individual and members of the public.
The fact that police are asking Markas directly to make contact suggests they believe he may have access to mobile phones or internet-connected devices and could potentially see the appeals being shared online.
Weather conditions and the approaching nightfall add urgency to the search, particularly given the child’s young age. September evenings can become cold quickly, increasing concerns for any child spending extended time outdoors.
How to Help
Members of the public who believe they have seen Markas or have information about his whereabouts should:
- Call 999 immediately if they have current sighting information
- Report online at https://orlo.uk/drZr7 for historical sightings or other information
- Quote reference number MPN4/2963/25 when making contact
- Not approach the child but observe from a safe distance if possible
- Note the exact location, time and direction of travel if spotted
Anyone with doorbell cameras or dashcam footage from the Dallington area on Sunday afternoon is encouraged to review their recordings for any potential sightings of the missing boy.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
