Police are searching the River Itchen near Woodmill for a 'high risk' missing person and have also launched a helicopter

Officers from Hampshire police have launched a helicopter in the skies over Woodmill Activity Centre and a patrol boat is on the River Itchen after the man was reported missing.

• Police search for missing man at Woodmill >>

The incident began yesterday after the man – who’s details are not yet known – parked a car at the Woodmill Lane centre at about 11.30pm on Friday.

He is described by Hampshire police as being “high risk”.

Last night officers from Hampshire police released the following statement:

“Police officers are searching around Woodmill in Southampton for a high risk missing person who they believe may have been in that area.

“We are not in a position to release further details at this time and the investigation is ongoing.”

They added: “There’s no risk to the public.”

Officers have been speaking to residents in Oliver Road as well as using sniffer dogs to help them in their search.

One resident said officers had been searching local gardens which back on to the river.

He said: "They have been going up and down the river and checking people's gardens and now they are pumping up a dinghy.

"I've seen two frogmen as well, people dressed up in wetsuits about to go into the water.

"The police have been round and told us that a man parked up in his car last night at about 11pm and they have concerns for his welfare.

A helicopter was over our house for 30 mins this morning and the area has been cordoned off all day.

"There has been a big police presence here today and there must have been three or four people from CID here."