Boy missing after rifle stolen in break-in

Detectives in the North searching for a boy who may be armed with a loaded rifle today reassured him: “You are not being hunted.”

The 14-year-old disappeared following a break-in at a farm in Armagh in Northern Ireland where he did casual work.

A jeep, a .22 shotgun and ammunition were stolen during the raid on the property in the Dernasigh Road area of the city. The vehicle was later recovered.

It is understood the boy, who is from the area, has gone missing in the past.

As fears grew that he might be in a distressed state, Inspector Jim Fulton of the Police Service of Northern Ireland urged him not to think he was in deep trouble.

He said: “We will treat the whole thing sympathetically.

“There has been a break-in but no real harm has been done at this stage and we just want him to come home.

“He should not feel as if he is being hunted, but his mother is totally distressed by this.”

Police have limited their search to a radius of a few miles around the scene of the break-in, believing the boy has not gone far.

No-one was at the farmhouse when the jeep and weapon were stolen yesterday, and Mr Fulton stressed no witnesses could connect the teenager to the theft.

“We are particularly concerned that there’s a chance he may have a weapon with him, but we are treating this whole thing leniently at this stage.”

The missing boy is described as 5ft 2ins tall, of slim build with light brown hair and blue eyes.

He was wearing a blue zip-up tracksuit top and bottoms.

Police have urged anyone who sees him not to approach him but to contact detectives in Armagh on 02837 523311.