Alex Batty: What Greater Manchester Police said at press conference after missing Oldham boy found in France

An Oldham boy found in France six years after going missing has spoken to his grandmother on a video call and is expected to return home in the coming days, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.

Alex Batty was 11 when he went on a pre-agreed family holiday to Spain back on September 2017. He travelled with his mum Melanie and grandad David but never flew home. His grandmother Susan Caruana was his legal guardian and believed the pair wanted Alex to have an "alternative lifestyle".

He was spotted walking near the city of Toulouse on Wednesday by delivery driver Fabien Accidini, who told Sky News the teenager said he had been hiking in nearby mountains for more than four days in an attempt to return home.

The 26-year-old added Alex had said he had been living in a luxury house in Spain with around 10 people as part of a “spiritual community". He had been moved to France two years ago but wanted to live a normal life. David and Melanie Batty remain wanted in connection with Alex's disappearance.

What Greater Manchester Police said at Alex Batty press conference

In a press conference on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police:  “I think I speak on behalf of the whole of Greater Manchester Police when I say we were relieved and overjoyed to receive news from the French Authorities that they believe Alex Batty had been located safe and well, more than six years after his disappearance. This is a huge moment for Alex, for his family and for the community in Oldham.

“Alex went missing whilst on holiday in 2017 when he was just 11 years old. On Wednesday, a member a public reported a potential sighting in the Toulouse area of France. The young man identified as Alex and was taken to a French police station.

“The young man and Alex’s grandmother spoke on a video call last night and whilst she is content that this is indeed Alex – we obviously have further checks to do when he returns to the country.

“Our main priority now is to see Alex returned home to his family in the UK and our investigation team has been working around the clock with partner agencies to ensure they are fully supported. Alex and his family remain our focus – and we still have some work to do in establishing the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance and where he has been.

“I can only imagine the emotions they have experienced throughout this ordeal. I would ask that they be granted privacy as they come to terms with what has happened and as they try to find a way to move forwards with their lives together.”

He added: “We are working hard to bring Alex back as soon as possible. He’s getting well cared for by the French authorities at the moment, they’re in Toulouse. We’re in close liaison with them and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and our priority is to get him back to the UK and getting back to his family in Oldham as soon as possible.”