A boy captured on CCTV wandering alone around a West Midlands town has prompted an "intensive" police search.
A boy who sparked an "intensive" police search after being captured on CCTV wandering alone has returned home.
The boy, thought to be aged five or six, was spotted in Darlaston, Walsall, at about 0500 GMT on Saturday.
The nine-year-old boy was spotted in Darlaston, near Walsall, at about 0500 GMT on Saturday.
His disappearance was described by police as "a mystery", since the youngster was seen on several cameras but has not been reported missing.
West Midlands Police confirmed the boy, who was seen by residents and on several cameras, had since returned home and was safe and well.
More than 20 police officers are involved in the search, which has also included police dogs and a helicopter.
More than 20 police officers were involved in the search, which also included police dogs and a helicopter.
It may simply be a case that the lad has wandered off...and may now have returned [home], but clearly we want to establish that he is safe and well Insp Lisa Robson, West Midlands Police
As well as being seen on camera, the child was seen by staff at a squash club in Darlaston and near a bank in the town centre.
As well as being seen on camera, the child was seen by staff at a squash club in Darlaston, but fled after telling them he did not know where his mother was.
His disappearance was described by police as "a mystery", since the youngster had not been reported missing.
He was later seen near an Asda supermarket and a bank in the town centre.
A police spokeswoman said the boy had only been missing for a very short time and his family had not realised he was gone.
Described as white, with short dark, spiky hair, the boy was wearing a navy tracksuit and a grey hooded top.
She said there would be no further police action in connection with the incident.
"Clearly we are concerned for this boy's safety and welfare and need to trace him as quickly as possible to check his well-being and reunite him with his guardian," said Insp Lisa Robson, of West Midlands Police.
"It is something of a mystery why he has been wandering around Darlaston and keeps eluding our attempts to catch up with him."
She said officers were liaising with other agencies in an attempt to identify and trace the boy.
"It may simply be a case that the lad has wandered off from home for a while and may now have returned, but clearly we want to establish that he is safe and well," added Insp Robson.
