Fears grow for missing 11-year-old boy

Mike Zhao-Beckenridge. Photo / supplied

Concern for a missing 11-year-old Invercargill boy is growing as police continue to search for the boy and his stepfather, who is believed to have absconded with him five days ago.

Invercargill police said Mike Zhao-Beckenridge was thought to have left his school around lunchtime on Friday.

He is believed to be with his estranged stepfather John Beckenridge, 64, also known as John Robert Lundh, Knut Goran Roland Lundh, or John Bradford.

Mr Beckenridge's contact with Mike was in breach of a parenting order, police said.

Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said police were becoming increasingly concerned for Mike's safety.

"We continue to ask members of the public who may have seen Mike or his stepfather, John Beckenridge, to contact us immediately. "We also would like to hear from anyone who has information that might help us to locate them."

Police said the pair could be anywhere in New Zealand and were thought to be travelling in a dark blue Volkswagen Touareg, registration number DUY263.

Mike is 1.65m in height, of solid build and of Asian descent. John Beckenridge is 1.75m in height, of medium build and of Swedish descent.

Police said since they made Mike's disappearance public, they had received some new information from the public, but they were still unable to locate the pair.

Anyone with information that might assist in locating the pair should contact the Southern District Command Centre on 03 471 5002.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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