Distraught mum's relief after police dog Mick helps find her missing son

A relieved mum has praised police who found her son after he ran off during a visit to Northumberland.
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The pair, from Newcastle, were in Morpeth last Tuesday, February 23, when the eight-year-old ran off near the train station at around 6.45pm.

With darknewss falling, his mum rang 101 for help and neighbourhood officers teamed up with the Force’s Dog Section and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) to lead the search.

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Dog handler PC Will Driver and his dog PD Mick were taken to the boy’s last location, and Mick followed his nose to Morpeth Castle where Will heard a child’s voice.

Chief Inspector Ron Charlton with PC Will Driver and PD MickChief Inspector Ron Charlton with PC Will Driver and PD Mick
Chief Inspector Ron Charlton with PC Will Driver and PD Mick

NPAS were then able to home in on a heat source, and direct PC Driver and Mick to the little boy who was reunited with his grateful mum.

“It was a very overwhelming situation to be in but the officers were hugely reassuring and kind,” she said

“I was worried that maybe he would see police and worry he was in trouble and hide but when they thought they spotted him, he was approached by an officer and dog and that didn’t make him feel scared. He was fascinated by the police dog and the handler was very good with him.

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“The response was amazing and I cannot thank the team of officers who gave their time to aid the search enough. A special thanks to the officer and dog who located my son and the reassurance and kindness all police showed us both.”

“I also want to say thank you to the residents of Morpeth, many who heard about the situation and kindly offered to help look for my son – that kindness from strangers towards someone who doesn’t even live in the town that meant a lot.

Chief Inspector Ron Charlton of Northumbria Police said: “Few things in life can be more terrifying than your young child being missing.

“Our officers from every department are highly skilled and trained for incidents such as this and by working together they were able to locate the boy safe and well in under an hour and a half.

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“The mother’s praise is certainly touching but for us, just knowing we’ve helped a young child find their way back to their mother is enough.”

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