Ben Needham Missing: Mother Kerry Pleads With UK Government After 35 Years

Kerry Needham, the mother of missing British toddler Ben Needham, has made an emotional plea for more government support after South Yorkshire Police announced they will no longer actively investigate new leads in her son’s disappearance.

Ben, who was just 21 months old, vanished on the Greek island of Kos on 24 July 1991 while staying at a family friend’s farmhouse. Despite one of the largest missing persons investigations in British history, including multiple searches and excavations, his whereabouts remain unknown more than three decades later.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast on 20 May 2026, Kerry broke down in tears as she revealed she had been informed that South Yorkshire Police would now pᴀss any fresh information directly to Greek authorities and Interpol.

“I was horrified, gutted, heartbroken,” she said. “I can’t allow this to happen… I’m not going to be quiet anymore.”

Kerry, who has fought tirelessly for answers for 35 years, urged the UK Government to step in with additional resources, funding, officers, and support. “Ben’s investigation needs more resources putting into it. More funding, more officers, more time, more effort — not less,” she told presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent.

South Yorkshire Police stated that the investigation has always been led by Greek authorities, and their role has been one of support and information sharing. They confirmed a family liaison officer and detective inspector remain ᴀssigned to the case, and their resource allocation has not changed.