Police confirm possible sighting of missing schoolboy Alex Batty

Police have confirmed a possible sighting of schoolboy Alex Batty who was believed to have been abducted six years ago.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers in Oldham are in contact with French authorities to establish the authenticity of the reported sighting near the city of Toulouse.

Alex Batty, who is now 17, went missing in 2017 after going on a family holiday to Spain.

Detectives believed Alex had been abducted and taken abroad by his mother to live an “alternative” lifestyle.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.”

It is understood the teenager, who was 11 when he disappeared, was spotted by a member of the public near the French city of Toulouse on Wednesday and taken to a police station.

Alex’s parents, Melanie and David Batty, have still not been located and remain wanted in connection with his disappearance.

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