Key Points
- Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal for information to find 13-year-old James from Stockport.
- Police said James was last seen in the Portwood area at around 7.45pm on Monday, August 24.
- Officers said they are “increasingly worried” about his welfare.
- James is described as about 170cm tall, with short dark hair and a mole on his right cheek.
- He was last seen wearing a dark-blue hoodie, wide-leg white joggers and black Adidas trainers with white stripes and brown soles.
- Police said James was carrying a plain black backpack.
- Anyone who sees James or knows where he may be is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, quoting the police reference linked to the appeal.
Stockport Police (Manchester Mirror) August 25, 2026 — officers have issued an urgent public appeal to help find James, a 13-year-old boy reported missing after he was last seen in Portwood on Monday evening.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, James was last seen at around 7.45pm on August 24. Greater uk/police/">Manchester Police said officers are increasingly concerned about the teenager’s welfare and have asked members of the public to share any information that could help establish where he is.
The appeal concerns a missing child, rather than a report of a confirmed crime or a statement that James has come to harm. Police have not publicly set out further circumstances surrounding his disappearance in the information reported so far. The appeal is focused on locating him and ensuring his safety.
GMP has released a description intended to help people recognise James if they see him in Stockport or elsewhere. Police said he is about 170cm tall, has short dark hair and has a mole on his right cheek.
At the time he was last seen, James was wearing a dark-blue hoodie, wide-leg white joggers and black Adidas trainers. The footwear was described as having white stripes and brown soles. He was also carrying a plain black backpack, according to the police appeal reported by the Manchester Evening News.
The force’s description gives potential witnesses a number of identifiable features, including his clothing, backpack and facial mole. However, the public should not approach or speculate about possible sightings on social media. Information should be passed directly to police so it can be assessed and acted upon appropriately.
When and where was James last seen?
James was last seen in Portwood, Stockport, at approximately 7.45pm on Monday, August 24, according to the appeal.
Portwood is an area close to Stockport town centre, meaning the appeal may be particularly relevant to residents, commuters, public-transport users, local businesses and people who were travelling through the area on Monday evening. No specific street, venue, route or intended destination was included in the information reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Police have not said whether James may have travelled beyond Portwood after he was last seen. They have also not publicly confirmed whether he was alone at the time or whether there were any known sightings later that evening.
That limited public information makes the timing and location of any potential sighting important. People who saw someone matching the description should note, if possible, the location, time, direction of travel and clothing observed before reporting it to GMP.
What has Greater Manchester Police said?
Greater Manchester Police said it was “increasingly worried” about James’s welfare as the search continued. The wording signals the force’s concern for the 13-year-old, while the public appeal asks for help in tracing his whereabouts.
The force has not released a longer statement setting out additional operational details. There is no published indication in the reported appeal of a criminal investigation, an arrest, or a confirmed risk linked to a named person, place or event.
The Manchester Evening News reported that police asked anyone who sees James, or has information about where he may be, to contact GMP.
It is important that people distinguish between verified police information and unconfirmed claims online. Sharing the official appeal and its description may assist the search, but naming individuals, posting unverified locations or publishing speculation can create confusion and may affect a missing-person inquiry.
How can the public report information about James?
Anyone with information about James’s whereabouts should contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 and quote the police reference connected to the appeal.
People who believe they have just seen James, or who think there is an immediate danger to life, should call 999 rather than waiting to make a non-emergency report. GMP states that 999 should be used in an emergency, including circumstances involving danger to life, while 101 is for non-emergency matters.
When contacting police, useful details may include:
- The precise location of a sighting.
- The time it happened.
- The direction in which the person was travelling.
- Clothing, bags or other identifying features observed.
- Whether the person appeared to be alone or with others.
- Any vehicle, public transport route or landmark connected to the sighting.
Police, rather than members of the public, should decide how to respond to a potential sighting. Anyone who sees a person they believe may be James should avoid actions that could place either themselves or the child at risk.
What is the background to this police appeal?
This appeal was issued after James, 13, was reported missing following his last known sighting in Portwood at around 7.45pm on Monday, August 24. The available report identifies his appearance, clothing and backpack, but does not provide further detail about the circumstances before he went missing.
Greater Manchester Police regularly use public appeals to seek time-sensitive information in missing-person cases. In this instance, the force has asked for information from the public as concern for James’s welfare grows. The appeal remains centred on finding him safely and establishing his current location.
How could this development affect Stockport residents?
The appeal may lead Stockport residents and those travelling through Portwood to pay closer attention to official police updates and to report credible sightings promptly. People who were in the area on Monday evening may also check whether they recall seeing someone matching James’s description.
For James’s family, friends and school community, the police appeal may widen awareness and generate information that helps officers locate him. For the wider public, the most constructive response is to share verified details from Greater Manchester Police, avoid unsupported claims, and use the appropriate police contact route if they have information.
