Mum's emotional appeal after son, 15, disappears on way to school (2025)

His parents say they are 'worried' as police and family continue to search for him

The mum of a teenage boy who vanished on his way to school has issued an emotional appeal for him to come home.

Leon, 15, left his home in Rochdale for school at around 7:30am this morning (Thursday, March 20), but never arrived. The alarm was raised and he was reported missing.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers have searched the area around where he was last seen, on Woodstock Street in the Meanwood area of the town, as well Healey Dell nature reserve.

Leon's mum said she was then told his phone had 'pinged' in the Bury area around 2pm and that he appeared to be on his way to Whitefield.

Drones have been sent up as part of the search operation, with family members and friends having been out looking for him.

His mum told the Manchester Evening News that he was a 'vulnerable child.' "Me and his dad really worried. We just want him home" she said.

"I'd ask everyone to keep their eyes peeled and get in touch with the police if they see him or may know where he is" she added.

In an appeal for help finding him on social media, GMP said: "Officers want to make sure is safe and well."

Leon is around 5ft, 6in tall, of slim build and was a black medium length perm they said. He was last seen wearing a black blazer, black pants, a white shirt, grey and red tie and black shoes."

Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency, and quoting log 934 of March 20.

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