POLICE searching for a missing Belfast schoolboy last night urged people to check vacant homes, sheds, outbuildings, cars and caravans as part of a massive effort to find the "thoughtful, loving" teenager.
Noah Donohoe, who is 14 and from the south of the city, has not been seen since Sunday evening.
He was last spotted at North Queen Street/York Street in north Belfast, where he is believed to have fallen off his bicycle - possibly suffering a head injury - at around 6pm.
It is believed he got back on his bike and carried on his journey, cycling towards Northwood Road.
The teenager is then thought to have abandoned his clothing, as he was seen a short time later cycling naked, before he dropped his bike and began walking.
Despite a massive police operation since then, which has been aided by sniffer dogs, air support, search and rescue teams and large numbers of public volunteers, there have been no further sightings.
Superintendent Muir Clark revealed that officers had so far recovered Noah's bicycle, helmet, trainers and mobile phone.
However, his khaki green North Face jacket, grey sweat shorts and his khaki rucksack which contained a Lenovo laptop had not been found.
Police were continuing to search a densely wooded area which Noah was reportedly heading towards when last seen.
Supt Clark said officers were "working on the hypothesis at the minute that Noah may have suffered some injury causing him to behave in a way that is not normal".
"He may be seeking either shelter because he has no clothing or money, or he may not realise where he is," he said.
"That is why it is so important for members of the public to check their properties and cars."
The senior officer urged people to look in their gardens, sheds, outbuildings, cars and caravans for signs of Noah.
He also appealed for landlords who own empty properties to check them.
"If anyone has had clothing which has gone missing from the washing line... you need to call us," he said.
"I need to know that all the outbuildings, all the places Noah could take refuge in, have been checked".
The police officer also appealed directly to Noah, telling him he was "not in any trouble" and asking him to "let us know you are safe".
And he urged the teenager's friends to contact police with any information, no matter how trivial.
"This behaviour is completely outside Noah's character," he said.
Mr Clark said police and Noah's family are "incredibly concerned" for his safety, with his loved "completely distraught".
Earlier, Noah's mother, Fiona took to social media to say she had been "overwhelmed" by the support she had received.
"I just wish at this stage people would start offering for their houses to be searched so that shelter could be eliminated," she said.
"The police can't ask to search but in this situation if people in the vicinity could find it in their hearts to say please search my house to eliminate areas of question.
"My heart is broken. I am begging people do this".
She added: "I know I am asking a massive thing but if you knew my Noah, he was the most thoughtful, loving darling who does not deserve to be suffering or unfound.
"Please hear my plea, I am speaking for Noah - my baby," she said.
