Missing boy, 4, known to 'wander off'

Four-year-old Lucas Ward. Photo / Supplied

A four year-old boy missing in Gisborne has been "known to wander off" and disappeared after his grandmother was distracted, police say.

The search for Lucas Ward was resumed at first light this morning and the police dive squad has been called in to search a nearby river.

Lucas was being looked after by his grandmother at a Graham Rd home in the Gisborne suburb of Inner Kaiti when he went missing at about 3pm yesterday.

Gisborne Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said Lucas had been "known to wander off".

"As recently as Monday, he had left his grandmother's property and met up with a woman down the street who was walking her dog," he said.

"Lucas' grandmother was briefly distracted and when she went to look for Lucas, he had disappeared," Mr Aberahama said.

He said Lucas' grandmother did a search of her property and others nearby before calling police at 4.15pm.

"We are keeping an open mind as to where Lucas may have wandered off to. Police staff will be going door-to-door in the area again this morning and residents will be asked to search their houses and their properties," Mr Aberahama said.

He said Lucas' family were very upset by his disappearance.

"This is a very difficult time for them and they are gathering together as a family for support. We will be doing everything we can to find Lucas for them," Mr Aberahama said.

He said police would be following up on two reported sightings of Lucas in the Graham Rd area yesterday afternoon.

"Lucas had apparently been seen alone in the area," Mr Aberahama said.

The official search - which included police, members of the Fire Service, the Coast Guard and Maori wardens - was called off about 10pm yesterday.

But family members continued their hunt into the night.

The search area included Turanganui River, which is near the family home.

Senior Sergeant Mick Lander, of Gisborne police, said last night that Lucas' family called police.

"It was just an unfortunate event, where they've just turned around and he just wasn't there."

Mr Lander said Lucas' parents were distraught and members of the family, friends and people in the community were still searching late last night even after the official search was called off.

"There's still people out there walking on the streets looking for him," Mr Lander said.

"It's affecting everybody."

Lucas is Pakeha and has blond hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue sweatshirt, track pants and had bare feet.

A member of the public reported to police late yesterday that they had possibly seen him about 5.30pm.

Police were urging that person to come forward so that they can speak to them again.

Mr Lander said the search team had not found any sign or object to indicate that Lucas had been in the area and were not ruling out other possibilities regarding his disappearance.

Police are asking all residents in the area surrounding and bordering Graham Road to search their backyards and riverbanks.

* Any information - Gisborne police: (06) 869 0200.

- With NZHerald staff