Helicopter is used in hunt for missing boy aged 10

Police were today searching for a missing 10-year-old boy from Smethwick.

Kyle Hall has not been seen since yesterday afternoon, when he left his home in Gilbert Road to go out and play.

His mother reported him missing at 11pm.

Police were drafted in from across the region to help with the search last night. A police helicopter was scrambled and specialist search teams have also scoured open land.

Officers have been trawling through hours of CCTV footage and conducting door-to-door inquiries.

More footage is still to be analysed.

Det Insp Mick Spellman said: "We are very concerned for Kyle's safety given the fact that he is so young and that he has been missing overnight.

"Officers from across the force have joined in the search for the lad and we are now asking members of the public to help us.

"I would urge local people to take a look at Kyle's photograph and see if they recognise him. I would urge them to think back to yesterday and consider if they have seen him. He may have been on a bus or playing in a local park.

"Anyone who thinks they have spotted Kyle should call us immediately. We just want to know that he is safe and well and want to get him back home with his mum who is worried sick."

Kyle is known to visit Cape Hill and Bearwood.

He is 5 ft tall and of medium build. He has very short hair with a pattern shaved into it. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing dark blue jeans, black trainers and a grey hoody.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on the non-emergency number 101 immediately.