A tragic discovery was made late on Saturday night after the body of a child was recovered from the river in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Police confirmed that the search operation was launched earlier in the day following reports that a 12-year-old boy had entered the water and failed to resurface. Specialist teams located the body at around 10.45pm.

The child has not yet been formally identified, but North Yorkshire Police said the boy’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

A spokesperson for the force said:

“We can confirm that a child’s body has been recovered from the river in Richmond this evening. His family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.”

Emergency services remain at the scene to assist with recovery operations. Officers added that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

No further details have yet been released.