Police appealing for information on whereabouts of Oldham schoolboy who has gone missing abroad
Alex Batty is 12-years old today.
Detectives have launched a worldwide search for an Oldham schoolboy - who's gone missing whilst on holiday in Spain.
Alex Batty - who is 12 years old today - was on holiday with his mum and grandad in October last year.
They're now wanted on suspicion of abduction as they don't have custody of him.
On Saturday 30th September they flew into Malaga Airport and stayed in the Benahavis area near Marbella.
Alex was due to return to England on Sunday 8th October 2017 but never did.
Police discovered the family left Benahavis and may have tried to head to Melilla in Morocco from the Port of Malaga on 8th October 2017.
Despite extensive enquiries, a previous international public appeal and assistance from Spanish authorities the youngster has not been seen since.
Although officers do not believe he is at risk of immediate harm, they are concerned about his welfare and want to bring him home to his guardian, his grandmother Susan.
He is white, about 5ft, slim, has blond hair and speaks with a northern accent.
His mother Melanie Batty, 37, and his granddad David Batty, 58, are wanted in connection with his abduction and officers are also doing everything they can to trace them. It is believed they are with Alex.
Detective Sergeant Pete Morley, from GMP’s Oldham borough, said: “It’s Alex’s 12th birthday today and instead of being at home with his grandmother and friends, we don’t know where he is.
“Our mission is to find Alex and bring him home but sadly we have had no further sightings of him since 8 October 2017 at the Port of Malaga.
“His grandmother Susan is beside herself with worry. She’s gone from seeing Alex every day to not hearing off him for months. She misses him terribly and is desperate to know he is alright.
“I would implore any of Melanie’s or David’s friends, who might have heard from them, to please contact police immediately. Alex’s friends may have also heard from him.
“I understand this is an emotive situation but ultimately Alex should be at home in Oldham and there are genuine concerns about his welfare. He has been missing out on school and we don’t know how the family are funding their lifestyle abroad.
“Anyone who has any information, no matter how irrelevant you might think it is, I appeal to you to please get in touch.”
People can call police on 0161 856 8972 (+44 161 856 8972 if you are abroad) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.