Police seek missing 13-year-old with Bolton connections 2026

Key Points

• Police from Greater Manchester are looking for 13-year-old Finnley, who was last seen on James Street in Tyldesley at about 1.37 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
• Finnley is said to be white, with a slim build, about 5ft 2in tall, and mousy brown hair.
• On being last seen, he was wearing a grey Monterex tracksuit, black Zavetti puffer jacket, and grey On Cloud trainers.
• The boy is known to have connections in the Bolton region of Greater Manchester.
• “Officers are becoming increasingly concerned,” they said and called upon any member of the public with information to contact GMP at 0161 856 5768, citing log 1649 of 03/09/26.
• A missing person appeal from the police was posted by the force on its Facebook page, saying that “they want to ensure that Finnley is safe and well.”

Bolton (Manchester Mirror) September 5, 2026 — Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have launched a public appeal to trace a missing 13-year-old boy with connections to Bolton, after he was last seen in Tyldesley earlier this week.

According to details published by The Bolton News and reiterated in a Facebook post from GMP, the teenager named as Finnley was last sighted on James Street in Tyldesley at around 1.37pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Officers have stressed that their concern for his welfare is growing and are asking members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating him.

What do police know about Finnley’s appearance?

Police have released a detailed physical description to aid the search. As reported by The Bolton News, Finnley is described as a white male of slim build, standing at approximately 5ft 2in, with mousy brown hair.

In terms of clothing, he was last seen wearing a grey Monterex tracksuit, a black Zavetti puffer jacket and grey On Cloud trainers. The specificity of the description including brand names suggests investigators are working from recent witness accounts or possibly CCTV footage capturing his movements around the time he went missing.

Why are Bolton residents being asked to help?

Although Finnley was last seen in Tyldesley, which falls under the Wigan borough, police have highlighted that he has links to the Bolton area of Greater Manchester. This connection has prompted authorities to broaden their appeal beyond Tyldesley and Wigan, reaching into neighbouring communities where he may have contacts, family, or places he frequently visits.

The Bolton News, which first carried the appeal locally, noted that officers are “becoming increasingly worried” about Finnley’s welfare. In their Facebook post, GMP wrote: “Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well.”

How can the public provide information to GMP?

Greater Manchester Police have set up a dedicated contact line for tips relating to Finnley’s disappearance. As outlined in the appeal covered by The Bolton News, anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 0161 856 5768 and quote log number 1649 of 03/09/26.

The force has also used social media to amplify the message. In the Facebook post cited by The Bolton News, GMP opened with the hashtag #MISSING and asked: “Can you help us find Finnley (13) from Wigan?” before restating the time, date and location of his last known sighting and reiterating his links to Bolton.

What steps are typically taken in missing child cases?

While GMP has not provided a full breakdown of operational steps in this specific case, standard procedure in missing child investigations in the UK typically involves a multi-agency response. This can include door-to-door inquiries in the last known area, review of local CCTV and transport hub footage, checks at hospitals and shelters, and liaison with schools and youth services.

Public appeals such as the one issued by GMP and reported by The Bolton News are often deployed when initial lines of inquiry have not yielded results, or when there is a belief that community knowledge could quickly narrow the search area. The mention of increasing concern suggests that Finnley has now been missing for a period that police consider significant for a child of his age.

Are there similar recent missing-child appeals in the region?

Missing-child appeals are not uncommon in Greater Manchester and surrounding counties. In recent weeks, other forces in the North West have issued similar requests for information about teenagers reported missing from home or last seen in public places. For example, Cheshire Police recently appealed for help locating a 13-year-old girl with links to several towns in the county, while Kent Police issued an appeal for a 13-year-old boy last seen near Maidstone Bus Station.

These cases underscore the routine but urgent nature of such investigations, where time is often critical and public assistance can prove decisive.

What should people do if they think they have seen Finnley?

Members of the public who believe they may have seen Finnley, or who have any information no matter how small it may seem — are urged to contact GMP immediately using the number provided. Police have emphasised that even seemingly minor details, such as a sighting in a particular street, a bus journey, or a conversation overheard, could help build a picture of his movements since Thursday afternoon.

In line with standard guidance in missing-person cases, people are advised not to approach the individual directly if they believe they have located him, but instead to call police so that trained officers can make contact safely.

Background: Context around missing-child investigations in Greater Manchester

Missing-child cases in Greater Manchester are handled through established protocols involving GMP’s missing persons teams, often in coordination with local councils, schools and safeguarding partners. Public appeals, like the one for Finnley, are typically issued when there is a specific concern for the child’s welfare or when traditional investigative methods have not produced sufficient leads.

The reference to Bolton links in this appeal reflects the interconnected nature of communities across the region, where family ties, friendships and school connections often span multiple boroughs. Such links are routinely used by investigators to prioritise search areas and tailor public messaging to reach the people most likely to have relevant information.

Prediction: How this development could affect Bolton residents and local communities

The ongoing appeal for Finnley is likely to heighten awareness among Bolton residents and neighbouring communities about missing-child incidents and the role they can play in safeguarding vulnerable young people. As the search continues, local groups, schools and youth organisations may see increased engagement from families seeking reassurance or guidance on safety measures.

If Finnley is found safely, the case could reinforce the value of rapid public appeals and community cooperation in resolving missing-person investigations. Conversely, if the search extends without resolution, it may prompt wider discussions about youth support services, mental health resources and the pressures facing teenagers in the region. For Bolton specifically, the case may lead to renewed scrutiny of how cross-borough links are leveraged in such investigations and whether additional local resources are needed to support families during similar crises.