Featured Image Credit: PA/GMP
Topics: UK News
Emily Brown
The British boy who was found in France after going missing six years ago has returned to the UK.
Alex Batty disappeared in 2017 while on holiday in Spain with his mother and grandfather.
Six years later, he was found on Wednesday (13 December), by a motorist in France.
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Greater Manchester Police have now announced Batty's return to the UK, with GMP Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle confirming the news in a statement tonight (16 December).
"I know there has understandably been huge interest in Alex’s story, not least in Greater Manchester, but also nationally and internationally. It gives me great pleasure to say Alex has now made his safe return back to the UK after six years," Boyle said.
Boyle said Batty, who is now 17 years old, was met by a family member and police officers at Toulouse airport, where he caught a flight to the UK.
"This moment was undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones and we're glad that they have been able to see each other again after all this time," he continued.
Greater Manchester Police said it has not obtained formal statements from Batty, who is now 17 years old, with Boyle explaining that officers will speak to him about his disappearance at a pace that 'feels comfortable to him'.
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"[This] will ultimately determine how this case is progressed and whether a criminal investigation is to ensue," Boyle said.
In his statement, Boyle continued: "Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family in partnership with other local agencies to ensure they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his reintegration with society is as easy as possible.
“We are yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, understand that this may be an overwhelming process. He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person.
“I would continue to ask for the community and media’s support in granting Alex and his family privacy as they look to move forward," Boyle continued.
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The police department could not comment on details disclosed by French authorities about what the teenager may have been doing in the six years since his disappearance.
The 17 year old, who was left for his holiday in Spain on 30 September, 2017, and was due to return to the UK on 8 October that same year.
Police opened an investigation into Batty's disappearance on the day he was supposed to return home, and it has remained open for the last six years.