The family of a ‘very vulnerable’ 14-year-old boy said they are ‘beside themselves’ after he vanished – and remains missing.

Luke Howe went missing from his grandparents’ home in Hale in Trafford just before 6.15pm yesterday (Thursday, January 18). He was last seen on Bankhall Lane, police said.

Emergency services, Luke’s family and members of the public have been out searching for him overnight to no avail. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, his auntie Jessica Howe said his family are ‘beside themselves’ and just want him home safe, with his parents ‘inconsolable’.

She described how Luke has global developmental delays and autism, which means he has ‘no concept of danger’. He has run away from home before, has run towards roads and has previously had to be rescued by emergency services.

“It’s a very serious situation in that when he ran out last night he purposely ran away from the house”, Jessica said. “He’s only in his school uniform.

“The police have been extensively involved, they’ve set up drones looking for him and had police dogs come out. None has been to any avail yet.”

Jessica said searches for Luke – who was last seen wearing his school uniform, a blue sweatshirt and dark grey trousers – have so far been focused on the River Bollin in Trafford and the River Mersey in south Manchester. Searches will continue this morning in the daylight.

She said the family wanted to thank members of the public who have been out in the freezing cold searching for Luke. “We’re incredibly grateful”, she said.

She urged anyone walking in the Hale, Altrincham, Wythenshawe and Sale areas, particularly near the rivers and canals, to keep an eye out this morning. She also thanked police and emergency services for their search efforts so far.

“We’re just asking people to keep their eyes peeled”, Jessica added: “The only thing we can pray for now is that he’s somehow managed to find himself some shelter.

“He’s just a young, very vulnerable schoolboy. If anyone saw anything last night, saw a young boy behaving erratically last night, please get in touch. Police have given a reference number so if you can get in touch with them that will be brilliant.

“We’re just absolutely beside ourselves, his parents are inconsolable. We will be out again searching today.”

Jessica is continuing to post updates on the search for Luke here. Any information on his whereabouts should be reported to Greater Manchester Police immediately.

Details can be passed on by calling 101 or 999 and quoting 2710 of 18/01/2024.